How often do buoy images update?
Buoy camera images refresh when NOAA publishes a newer frame and the local cache is updated. The feed also keeps existing cached images available when NOAA is temporarily unreachable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about NOAA buoy data, wave height, wind speed, camera updates and how this site interprets current marine conditions.
Why are some buoy images dark?
Some stations capture nighttime or low-light conditions. A dark image does not necessarily mean the station is offline; it often reflects natural light and weather at the buoy location.
What does wave period mean?
Wave period describes the time between passing waves. Longer periods often indicate more energetic swell and can change how rough the sea feels even when wave height looks moderate.
How often does NOAA buoy data refresh?
NOAA buoy updates vary by station and metric, but many stations refresh observations multiple times per hour. This site caches the data so pages stay responsive while still reflecting recent conditions.
What does rough marine conditions mean?
On this site, rough conditions generally mean wave height is above 2 meters or wind speed is above 20 knots, which can be challenging for many small-craft trips.
Why does a station not show wave height?
Some stations do not report every metric all the time. If wave height is missing, NOAA may not provide that observation for the selected station or reporting window.
How are best conditions calculated?
Best conditions are ranked by the current condition level first, then by lower wave height and lighter wind speed so calmer stations rise to the top of the list.