Tsunami advisory in effect for entire California coast: Expected arrival times and risk in all areas
Tsunami advisory in effect for the entire California coast after 8.8 magnitude Kamchatka quake. Check expected arrival times and safety info for your area.
A Tsunami Advisory is now in effect for the entire California coastline—from the Mexico border up to Cape Mendocino—following a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Kamchatka at 4:25 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 29.
⚠️TSUNAMI ADVISORY remains in effect for the California coast. Stay away from the water! Stay away from beaches and waterways! Remember: Tsunamis are series of waves carrying large masses of water. The first wave may not be the largest! Do NOT go to the coast!! #CAwx #Tsunami pic.twitter.com/AQ7rCrTwmU
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) July 30, 2025
Issued by the National Tsunami Warning Center at 10:22 PM PDT, the latest alert warns of strong, dangerous currents and wave activity that could impact beaches, harbors, and marinas across the state. Although widespread coastal flooding is not expected in most areas, the surging of sea water in and out of harbors may present serious risks overnight and into Wednesday.
Affected Areas:
Official tsunami advisory maps issued by the National Weather Service on July 29, 2025, highlight coastal regions of California under threat. The advisories were triggered by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Kamchatka, with wave activity expected along the entire coastline from San Diego to Cape Mendocino.
The advisory covers all coastal regions from:
- San Diego and Orange County beaches (including La Jolla and Newport Beach),
- Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County coastlines (including Santa Monica and LA Harbor),
- Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties (including Port San Luis),
- Monterey Bay and the Central Coast,
- San Francisco and San Pablo Bays, up to
- Humboldt and Mendocino Counties in the north.
People in these areas are advised to move off beaches, piers, jetties, and out of harbors and marinas immediately.
Tsunami Arrival Times for California Locations (Initial Wave Estimates)
According to the National Weather Service, the earliest estimated wave arrival times begin just before midnight, with effects expected to continue for hours:
- Fort Bragg: 11:50 PM (July 29)
- Monterey: 12:15 AM (July 30)
- Port San Luis: 12:35 AM
- San Francisco: 12:40 AM
- Santa Barbara: 12:45 AM
- Los Angeles Harbor: 1:00 AM
- Newport Beach: 1:10 AM
- La Jolla: 1:10 AM
- Oceanside: 1:15 AM
The Tsunami Advisory is still in effect for all of our coasts. However, we are expecting very isolated low end warning level tsunami conditions for portions of coastal Port San Luis including Avila Beach. Stay away from beaches, harbors & coastal roads. pic.twitter.com/YdDQ3Ty7Jn
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) July 30, 2025
Tsunami Advisory Safety Tips:
"Tsunamis are a series of waves dangerous many hours after initial arrival time. The first wave may not be the largest." -NWS
- Stay out of the water—this includes beaches, harbors, and rivers that open into the ocean.
- Avoid low-lying coastal roads and waterfronts until the advisory is lifted.
- Do not return to coastal areas until local officials confirm it is safe.
- Do not go to the coast to take photos or watch the waves. Tsunamis are multiple waves that can persist for hours—and even if initial wave heights appear small, dangerous surges and strong currents are still possible.
Where to Get Updates:
The Tsunami Advisory will remain in effect until further notice. For the latest tsunami forecasts, maps, and official safety information, visit:
Please continue to monitor updates from your local emergency management office and the National Weather Service.
