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Bombora

4.0 — based on 21 community signals
4.5 12 species 55 contributors

Bombora is a year-round California surf break located within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

🐢 MPA · Monterey Bay National Marine S… updated 4 months ago
MPAShore entryPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
surf
Marine life
Nudibranch

Top operators here

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Map

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Bombora location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4.1 kn
Wave
0.96 m
Water
17.3°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SW (33%)
Now: WSW (239°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.47m

Today: High 08:00 (+0.41m), Low 00:00 (-0.43m)

+0.9 m0 m-0.6 m
▼ 00:00 · -0.43m ▲ 08:00 · +0.41m ▼ 10:00 · +0.36m ▲ 17:00 · +0.79m Now -0.4m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV6.55 · high Air PM2.510 · good 06:52 19:10
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 6.8 0.98 7 0mm
09-19 6.8 1.06 7 0mm
09-20 6.2 1.1 6 0mm
09-21 7.1 0.98 6 0mm
09-22 7.2 1.26 6 0mm
09-23 6.7 1.28 6 0mm
09-24 4.9 1.08 6 0mm

About this spot

Bombora sits in one of the Pacific Coast's most protected marine environments. The break lies within Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which means the surrounding waters get extra attention from conservation efforts. This protection helps maintain the health of the kelp forests and marine ecosystem that make this region special. The spot works throughout the year, giving surfers multiple windows to chase swells. Water conditions vary seasonally, but consistent groundswell lines reach this section of coast regularly. The Monterey Bay area benefits from reliable swell patterns driven by North Pacific storms and Southern Hemisphere swells that wrap around. Local species observations document the marine life in these waters. Twelve species sightings have been recorded in the area, reflecting the biodiversity of this protected sanctuary. The kelp-rich environment supports everything from fish to marine mammals. Community videos offer real looks at conditions and sessions, helping surfers plan trips and understand what to expect on arrival.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United States: 87 Sites From Springs to Open Ocean

Marine life

Nudibranch

Dive types

ReefShore

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🏄 Surfboard or rental confirmation
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8656km · ~1991kg · €36

FAQ

When is the best time to surf Bombora?

Bombora works year-round. Winter brings larger swells from North Pacific storms, while summer offers more consistent ground swell. Spring and fall are shoulder seasons with varied conditions.

What marine life is in the water here?

Twelve species have been documented in this section of Monterey Bay. The kelp forest habitat supports fish populations, sea otters, seals, and occasional larger marine visitors. Always respect the sanctuary protection status.

Are there permits or access restrictions?

Bombora sits inside Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Check sanctuary regulations before visiting. Some areas have specific rules about activity and resource use. Local outfitters can provide current access details.

Is there video of Bombora conditions?

Yes. Community members have posted three videos showing real conditions and sessions. These clips help you understand swell angles, wave shape, and what gear to bring for current conditions.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Adventure Sports Unlimited

7.8 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-19:00, Sa 10:00-18:00

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

284 records · 40 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Grampus griseus

Risso's dolphin
Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Mar 2026
×1records

Orcinus orca

Killer whale
Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Mar 2025
×1records

Mesocentrotus franciscanus

Red Urchin adult
Echinoidea · Strongylocentrotidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Nov 2023
×44records
Depth:
5–21 m

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

Purple Urchin recruit
Echinoidea · Strongylocentrotidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Nov 2023
×40records
Depth:
5–19 m

Tethya californiana

Orange Puff-Ball Sponge
Demospongiae · Tethyidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Nov 2023
×19records
Depth:
5–19 m

Cryptochiton stelleri

Gumboot Chiton
Polyplacophora · Acanthochitonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Nov 2023
×15records
Depth:
5–20 m

Pisaster giganteus

Giant Spined Star
Asteroidea · Asteriidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Nov 2023
×13records
Depth:
5–16 m

Henricia leviuscula

Blood Star
Asteroidea · Echinasteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Nov 2023
×11records
Depth:
5–20 m

Patiria miniata

Bat Star
Asteroidea · Asterinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Nov 2023
×11records
Depth:
5–21 m

Pisinae

Decorator Crab, Moss Crab
Malacostraca · Epialtidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Nov 2023
×10records
Depth:
6–18 m

Dermasterias imbricata

Leather Star
Asteroidea · Asteropseidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Nov 2023
×10records
Depth:
5–20 m

Ceratostoma foliatum

Leafy Hornmouth
Gastropoda · Muricidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Nov 2023
×9records
Depth:
5–20 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

The Atlantics - Bombora (1963)

jenipete
💬 3 top comments
  • People hearing this in 63 must have been amazed. So ahead of its time

    @ejj26-jj · 👍 30
  • wow i was trying not to comment ,,,,,,,,, but , that drummer gave me 3 free lessons .................a lot of water has gone under the bridge

    @stephenhoward4191 · 👍 17
  • My brothers sent me a copy of this from Australia where they emigrated to in 1962. I was 15 and still in the UK and all my friends came around to listen to it...about twenty times a day. They couldn’t get a copy in the uk so l felt very privileged having my single. I eventually moved to Sydney myself three years later.

    @ritageorge2348 · 👍 57

Dropping Into Deep Water Bombs at Cow Bombie | Sessions

Red Bull Surfing
💬 3 top comments
  • I learned to swim there! :D ...well not there but the in the bay, 20 minute drive from where i went to school, it blows my mind that there was something like that out back, cos you can't really see it from the shore unless you're up the hill a bit.

    @lliamsmith5859 · 👍 4
  • Mad respect!

    @DubbedMarley · 👍 4
  • Wow, very crazy. Love it.

    @DwainDwight · 👍 2

Bombora

THE ATLANTICS - Topic
wind peaks Feb-Mar-Jan, calmest Aug-Sep-Oct, dry Mar-Nov.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)

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