Refugio State Beach surf break

Refugio State Beach surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 pm Thursday 08 Jan 2026 PST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Refugio State Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Refugio State Beach sea temperature is
15.9° C
(Which is 1.9°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Refugio State Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Refugio State Beach over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 08) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.9m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Refugio State Beach in the next 12 days are 1.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 12) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jan 10) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Thu 8th Jan)5ft (1.5m) 16s
Best Surf10PM (Thu 8th Jan)5ft (1.5m) 16s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 12th Jan)6ft (1.9m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Refugio State Beach over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
2
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
NW
1.9
NW
1.7
WNW
1.5
WNW
1.3
WNW
1
WNW
0.8
WNW
0.6
WNW
0.7
WNW
0.4
NW
1.1
WNW
1.9
WNW
1.9
WNW
1.7
WNW
1.5
WNW
1.4
WNW
1.3
WNW
0.8
WNW
1.1
WNW
1.8
WNW
1.6
WNW
Period(s) (?)171616151414131314201817161614141319181615
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)97419161356106970142522911416112982119541750129194375653850279015571007
Wind
(km/h)
25
NNW
10
NNE
5
NNE
10
NW
5
NE
5
NNW
5
W
5
NNE
5
NNE
5
WSW
10
NNE
5
ENE
5
WSW
5
NNE
0
NE
5
WNW
10
NNE
5
E
5
WNW
5
NNE
0
NNE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
offglasscross-
off
offglassglassoffglassglassoffglassglassoffglassglassoffglasscrossglassglass
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:33AM
1.76
2:00PM
1.39
3:18AM
1.80
3:44PM
1.23
4:03AM
1.84
5:50PM
1.20
4:47AM
1.88
7:22PM
1.26
5:30AM
1.93
8:15PM
1.33
6:12AM
1.99
8:50PM
1.39
6:51AM
2.07
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:31PM
0.59
8:53AM
1.03
8:08PM
0.78
10:27AM
0.91
8:47PM
0.95
11:42AM
0.76
9:36PM
1.09
12:37PM
0.61
10:37PM
1.18
1:19PM
0.47
11:37PM
1.22
1:55PM
0.36
12:27AM
1.22
Thu
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Sunrise--7:07--7:07--7:07--7:07--7:07--7:05--7:05
Sunset5:06--5:07--5:07--5:08--5:09--5:10--5:10--
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C14816151118171320181521201723221723221925
Feels °C (?)841312815151018171219191421201420201724
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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 12 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.

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