Surf Forecasts:
Hammonds Reef surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 140 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hammonds Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Hammonds Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hammonds Reef in the next 16 days are 0.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hammonds Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's talk about Hammonds Reef, and I'm not gonna sugarcoat it – this is a real quiet stretch. This is a sheltered reef that needs a clean west wind to fire, and we're just not getting that.
Right now, the water is sittin' at 69°, which is a solid 6° warmer than usual for this time of year. That's way out of the ordinary, makes the whole place feel a bit weird.
From the 19th of August all the way through to about the 29th of August, it's just a long line of poor surf. The swell is tiny – mostly 1 to 2 feet – coming from the SSW or SW with a light cross-onshore breeze that's messing up any chance of a clean face. The wave energy is weak, with numbers like 106 and 188 – nothing to get excited about. The forecasters are calling it "poor surf conditions" every single session, and I can't say different.
Then, on Sunday the 30th of August, we finally see a little pulse. The morning shows a 3-foot SSW swell, with a period of 16 seconds – that's a proper long-period groundswell. The combined energy jumps to 479 (moderate), the highest we've seen. The wind is still a light cross-onshore, so it won't be glassy, but it's the best chance for a wave. Still, the forecast only gives it a 1 out of 10, calling it "marginal." For a reef, that long period can be a good thing – it'll push in with some shape – but the cross-onshore will put a wrinkle on it.
After that, it's back into the quiet through the start of September. The swell drops back to 2 to 2 feet, and while there's a little more energy on the 31st of August (312), it's still not enough to get stoked about.
The real standout, if you can call it that, is that Sunday the 30th of August morning. It's the only session that even comes close to being rideable. If you're desperate, that's your window. But honestly, this spot is usually fairly consistent, so this dry spell is a bit unusual. It won't stay this way forever – forecasts can change. For now, keep the board in the car and wait for the wind to play ball.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 131 | 140 | 94 | 118 | 120 | 79 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 80 | 43 | 73 | 85 | 50 | 106 | 80 | 45 | 97 | 95 | 66 | 89 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 3:10PM1.83m | 4:18PM1.81m | 8:37AM1.35m | 5:29PM1.84m | 8:52AM1.42m | 6:28PM1.91m | 9:10AM1.47m | 7:15PM1.99m | 9:28AM1.51m | 7:56PM2.07m | 9:46AM1.56m | 8:32PM2.13m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 11:27PM0.71m | 00:41AM0.61m | 10:36AM1.34m | 1:32AM0.51m | 12:13PM1.32m | 2:11AM0.41m | 1:09PM1.25m | 2:43AM0.34m | 1:50PM1.17m | 3:12AM0.28m | 2:27PM1.08m | 3:39AM0.26m | |||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 27 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 6 | W 5 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 10 | W 5 | W 5 | W 8 | SSW 13 | W 5 | W 5 | SSW 12 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 5 |
| kJ | 48 | 30 | 36 | 35 | 37 | 30 | 24 | 23 | 31 | 80 | 13 | 37 | 44 | 34 | 25 | 17 | 30 | 89 | 58 | 57 | 32 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | WNW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | S 14 | SSW 14 | S 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 131 | 140 | 94 | 118 | 120 | 79 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 29 | 33 | 73 | 85 | 14 | 106 | 70 | 38 | 97 | 95 | 66 | 89 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | SSW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SSE 10 | SSW 15 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 20 | 18 | 34 | 32 | 27 | 28 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 10 | 43 | 14 | 33 | 50 | 82 | 80 | 45 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 30 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | W 4 | WNW 5 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 5 | — | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 38 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 9 | 51 | 7 | 12 | 37 | — | 33 | 40 | 33 | 49 | 64 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 15 | 0 | 124 | 15 | 0 | 59 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 36 | 0 | 20 | 209 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Hammonds Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Hammonds Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Hammonds Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Hammonds Reef surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Hammonds Reef) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Hammonds Reef may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Hammonds Reef is 5 km (3 miles) from the city of Santa Ana. If you plan a vacation in Santa Barbara, look for hotels and other accommodation in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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