
Surf Forecasts:
Refugio State Beach surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SSW swell with 348 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Refugio State Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Refugio State Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Refugio State Beach in the next 16 days are 0.8m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Refugio State Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Lookin’ at Refugio State Beach over the next couple of weeks, it’s a real mellow scene. Swell energy’s sittin’ in that moderate range, with readings between 118 and 688, but wave heights are barely touchin’ 3 ft most days, and the wind’s got a cross-on or onshore tack to it a lot of the time. That means gutless, bumpy little lines if anythin’ shows. Water temp’s about normal for this time of year.
The first chance to wet a line is Thursday the 7th of August, early. Tiny 2 ft swell from the SSW with a real long 19-second period – proper groundswell – but weak. Combined energy’s 303, and the breeze is a near-calm Slight Air, so the surface is glassy. Long waits between sets, and it’s barely breakin’. Longboard territory if you’re patient. That little pattern drifts through Friday and Saturday, swell holdin’ at 2 ft to 2 ft, period droppin’ from 19 to 16 seconds. Winds stay light, so it stays clean but small.
Sunday the 9th of August gives you a light SSW wind at 3 mph, swell steady at 2 ft to 2 ft from the SSW at 15 seconds. Energy’s moderate at 272 to 274 – same story, not enough grunt.
Monday the 10th of August pushes the swell up to 3 ft from the WNW with a short 9-second period, energy at 324. That’s the most height we’ve seen, but it’s short-period and crumbly. Wind is a light cross-on from the south. Marginal.
The only real standout is the morning of Tuesday the 11th of August. A 2 ft SSW groundswell with a very long 18-second period, combined energy at 319. Wind is a light cross-on from the south at 6 mph, so a few ripples, but it’s the best quality you’ll see. That long period means long, fat, roly-poly lines suitin’ the point setup. Tiny, but clean. Good for beginners.
From Wednesday the 12th of August through to the end, it’s the same tune: 2 ft to 3 ft, periods 14 to 18 seconds, energy moderate (297 to 688), with light cross-on or onshore breezes. The afternoon of Saturday the 15th of August nudges energy to 688 with a 3 ft swell from the SSW at 16 seconds, but it’s still only “marginal.”
Best bet: Tuesday the 11th of August, early morning. Not big, not powerful, but the cleanest little window with that long-period groundswell. Bring a log.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
179 | 96 | 108 | 97 | 108 | 70 | 96 | 87 | 84 | 84 | 212 | 207 | 270 | 267 | 226 | 288 | 193 | 167 | 236 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross |
High Tide | 1:32AM1.43m | 2:20PM1.85m | 2:57AM1.26m | 3:08PM1.92m | 5:11AM1.17m | 4:10PM1.99m | 7:19AM1.23m | 5:19PM2.09m | 8:23AM1.34m | 6:25PM2.20m | 9:04AM1.44m | 7:25PM2.31m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:03PM0.91m | 7:25AM0.79m | 9:25PM0.82m | 7:56AM0.94m | 10:56PM0.69m | 8:40AM1.08m | 00:17AM0.50m | 10:01AM1.18m | 1:20AM0.30m | 11:40AM1.21m | 2:12AM0.13m | 12:59PM1.16m | 2:58AM0.01m | ||||||
— | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
8:00 | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 27 | 28 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 23 | 28 | 29 | 24 | 29 | 27 | 23 |
Feels °C | 22 | 26 | 27 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 22 | 26 | 29 | 23 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 24 | 29 | 27 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | WNW 9 | SW 12 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 4 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
58 | 96 | 38 | 97 | 51 | 70 | 96 | 87 | 84 | 15 | 212 | 207 | 270 | 267 | 226 | 288 | 61 | 66 | 107 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 11 | SW 14 | SW 11 | WNW 8 | W 4 | SSW 20 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
65 | 79 | 56 | 9 | 71 | 19 | 6 | 6 | 39 | 84 | 83 | 82 | 65 | 8 | 22 | 83 | 193 | 167 | 163 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SW 12 | S 10 | S 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SSW 20 | S 12 | NW 9 | SW 18 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | SSE 9 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | W 13 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
21 | 36 | 8 | 3 | 32 | 12 | 37 | 25 | 13 | 82 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 36 | 56 | 14 | 18 | 41 | 23 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | — | WNW 9 | WNW 4 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 4 | — | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | — | — | W 4 | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | NW 8 |
179 | — | 108 | 31 | 108 | 48 | 29 | — | 17 | 26 | — | — | 9 | — | — | 51 | — | — | 236 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 33 | 22 | 0 | 170 | 97 | 0 | 33 | 22 | 0 | 24 | 33 | 0 | 170 | 22 | 3 | 118 | 33 | 8 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Refugio State Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Refugio State Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Refugio State Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Refugio State Beach 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 (Refugio State Beach) 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 Refugio State Beach 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.
Refugio State Beach is 21 km (13 miles) from Isla Vista. If you plan a vacation in Santa Barbara, look for hotels and other accommodation in Isla Vista. Isla Vista has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











