Search operations to resume today for man missing in high surf at Garrapata State Park, California
Search operations will continue on Monday, November 24, 2025, for a man swept into the Pacific Ocean at Garrapata State Park on Saturday, November 22. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter briefly sighted what appeared to be a body on Saturday, but visual contact was lost in rough seas and high surf.
Helicopter searching for a man who went missing in the Pacific ocean near Garrapata State Park on November 22, 2025. Credit: MCSO
Search operations for a man swept from coastal rocks into the Pacific Ocean at Soberanes Point, Garrapata State Park, were suspended on Sunday evening, November 23, and will resume Monday morning, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).
The incident occurred shortly after 15:00 local time (LT) on Saturday, when California State Parks and the MCSO received reports that three people–two women and one man– had been swept into the water. The women self-rescued and were transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
A multi-agency response was deployed, including California State Parks, CAL FIRE, the California Highway Patrol, the MCSO’s Search and Rescue Team, and the United States Coast Guard, which provided helicopter and vessel support. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office assumed incident command.
At approximately 16:24 LT, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter located what appeared to be a body in the water. However, visual contact was lost due to dangerous sea conditions and high surf.
The missing man is described by the Sheriff’s Office as a 30-year-old man, last seen wearing a white turban, black shirt, black shorts, and a black vest-style jacket.
Search operations continued until about 19:00 LT on Saturday, when hazardous surf conditions and lack of light forced suspension.
Crews resumed operations on Sunday morning using dive teams, Search and Rescue personnel, California State Parks rescue swimmers, and drone units from the Sheriff’s Office and CAL FIRE. High winds and unsafe ocean conditions hindered underwater operations and intermittently grounded drone flights. The search was suspended again at 17:30 LT Sunday because of darkness.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the Soberanes Point area. A Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect, with large breaking waves and dangerous surf impacting the coastline. Officials strongly advise staying off coastal rocks and avoiding entry into the ocean.
The incident occurred one week after a separate event at the same park in which a father and his 5-year-old daughter were swept into the ocean by waves estimated at 4.6–6 m (15–20 feet) and died as a result.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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