Search Efforts Suspended for Missing Man Swept into Ocean at Soberanes Point, Will Resume on Monday
November 24, 2025 – Monterey County Sheriff’s Office officials report that search efforts for a man who was swept off the rocks and into the ocean at Soberanes Point on Saturday afternoon continue (today) Monday.
On Saturday, November 22, just after 3:00 P.M., the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and California State Parks received reports that three individuals—two women and one man—had been swept from the rocks into the ocean. A reporting party stated they could hear people in the water yelling for help. The two women were able to self-rescue and were transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
A multi-agency response was launched, involving California State Parks, CalFire, California Highway Patrol, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, and the United States Coast Guard, which provided both helicopter and ocean vessel support. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office assumed Incident Command.
At approximately 4:24 P.M. on Saturday, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter located what appeared to be a body in the water; however, due to dangerous surf conditions, visual contact was lost and the individual could not be relocated. The missing man is described as approximately 30 years old and was last seen wearing a white turban, black shirt, black shorts, and a black vest-style jacket.
Search operations continued until 7:00 P.M. Saturday, when they were suspended due to darkness and hazardous conditions. Operations resumed Sunday morning with resources including the Monterey County Sheriff’s Dive Team, Search and Rescue personnel, California State Parks Rescue Swimmers, and drone units from both the Sheriff’s Office and CalFire. High winds and unsafe water conditions have hindered search efforts, limiting the ability of divers to conduct underwater operations. Drone efforts were also affected at times.
Search and recovery operations have been suspended as of 5:30 P.M. on Sunday due to darkness and are scheduled to resume Monday morning.
The public is urged to avoid the Soberanes Point area of Garrapata State Park at this time. Conditions remain extremely dangerous, and a Beach Hazards Statement is still in effect. Community members are strongly advised to stay off coastal rocks and to avoid entering the ocean under any circumstances.
Related: Monterey County Sheriff Reports Man Missing After Being Swept into Ocean at Garrapata State Park
This incident occurs just one week after a 39-year-old father and his 7-year-old daughter, visiting from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, were swept into the ocean by 15-to-20-foot waves at the same park. Both lost their lives as a result of that incident.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office thanks all partner agencies for their continued cooperation and dedication during this ongoing search operation.
Source & photos: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office
