El Capitan Surf Forecast and Surf Reports
(California – Santa Barbara, USA)
Photo credit: curtiss photography
Surf Break: El Capitan
| Name: | El Capitan |
|---|---|
| Type: | reef and point |
| Reliability: | inconsistent |
| Best Swell: W | Offshore Wind: N |
El Capitan in Santa Barbara is a fairly exposed reef and point break that has inconsistent surf. Winter is the best time of year for surfing here. Offshore winds blow from the north. Tends to receive distant groundswells and the best swell direction is from the west. Often Crowded. Rocks are a hazard.
Overall El Capitan Surf Consistency and Wind Distribution
IMPORTANT: Beta version feature! Swell heights are open water values from NWW3. There is no attempt to model near-shore effects. Coastal wave heights will generally be less, especially if the break does not have unobstructed exposure to the open ocean.
This chart describes the variation of swells directed at El Capitan through an average ... (show all text)
This image shows how frequently and how strongly the wind blows from different directio... (show all text)
Also see El Capitan surf quality by season and El Capitan surf quality by month.
| Contours: | Roads & Rivers: | Select a surf break from the menu |
Use this relief map to navigate to California - Santa Barbara surf breaks and tide stations that are in the area of El Capitan
Visitor Reviews of El Capitan |
Other Nearby Surf Breaks closest to El Capitan:(click location name for more details) |
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| Closest break | ED's | 2 mi |
| Second closest break | Beavers/Hazards | 2 mi |
| Third closest break | Refugio State Beach | 3 mi |
| Fourth closest break | Tajuigas Ranch | 4 mi |
| Fifth closest break | Seals | 5 mi |
Wave buoys nearest to El Capitan: |
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| Closest wave buoy | East Santa Barbara Buoy | 17 mi |
| Second closest wave buoy | Santa Barbara Buoy | 28 mi |
| Third closest wave buoy | Santa Maria Buoy | 55 mi |
| Fourth closest wave buoy | South Santa Rosa Island Buoy | 55 mi |
| Fifth closest wave buoy | PT Arguello Buoy | 57 mi |
Tide stations nearest to El Capitan: |
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| Closest tide station | Gaviota, California | 11 mi |
| Second closest tide station | Santa Barbara, Pacific Ocean, California | 19 mi |
| Third closest tide station | Santa Barbara, Pacific Ocean, California (sub) | 19 mi |
| Fourth closest tide station | Santa Barbara, California | 19 mi |
| Fifth closest tide station | Santa Barbara, California (2) | 19 mi |
Ski Resorts closest to El Capitan: |
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| Closest ski area | Alta Sierra at Shirley Meadows (United States) | 120 mi |
| Second closest ski area | Mountain High resort (United States) | 134 mi |
| Third closest ski area | Mt Baldy (United States) | 134 mi |
| Fourth closest ski area | Sunrise Ski Area (United States) | 134 mi |
| Fifth closest ski area | Snow Valley (United States) | 172 mi |
Town and city forecasts close to El Capitan: |
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| Closest city location | Isla Vista (United States) | 10 mi |
| Second closest city location | Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (United States) | 11 mi |
| Third closest city location | Goleta (United States) | 11 mi |
| Fourth closest city location | Santa Ynez (United States) | 11 mi |
| Fifth closest city location | Solvang (United States) | 12 mi |
- The closest passenger airport to El Capitan is Vandenberg Afb (Lompoc) Airport (VBG) in USA, 59 km (37 miles) away (directly).
- The second nearest airport to El Capitan is Point Mugu Nas Airport (NTD), also in USA, 91 km (57 miles) away.
- Third is Meadows Fld (Bakersfield) Airport (BFL) in USA, 140 km (87 miles) away.
- Burbank Glendale Pasadena Airport (BUR) in USA is 155 km (96 miles) away.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), also in USA is the fifth nearest airport to El Capitan and is 159 km (99 miles) away.
