By Lookout Staff

September 29, 2026 -- Local beaches remain under a High Surf Advisory through the day for dangerous rip currents and breaking waves due to elevated surf, prompting City officials to postpone a nontoxic pink dye study around the Pier.

The study by UCLA researchers in partnership with The Bay Foundation would have been the fifth conducted to better understand water circulation around the breakwater and the Santa Monica Pier, officials said.

In addition to the Beach Hazards Statement due to high surf, the National Weather Service on Monday issued a Coastal Flood Advisory.

"Moderate flooding of sea water is likely over some vulnerable low-lying coastal areas, especially around the time of high tide, including over beach parking lots, bike paths, and harbor walkways," according to the Advisory under effect until 5 p.m. today.

"Moderate to locally significant beach erosion is likely. While the surf will likely be smaller than Marie (from earlier this month), the lingering erosion effects enhance the vulnerabilities for locally more significant coastal flooding."

City officials canceled the Ocean Way Festival -- Santa Monica's first major music event in more than a decade – after Hurricane Marie wiped away a large portion of the festival site south of the Pier over Labor Day weekend.

Storm surf and runoff from a storm drain outfall eroded the large stretch across the beach to Bay Street where a main stage with five acts per day, a second stage and a series of gathering spaces were to be erected for the two-day festival that was to have taken place Saturday and Sunday.

Today's postponed water circulation study "builds on years-long efforts by the city of Santa Monica and its partners to address ocean water quality beneath the Pier," officials said.