Refugio State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. We’re looking at Refugio State Beach, and the long-range picture has its quiet moments and a few good windows.

Starting out flat and small. Monday August 24th through Wednesday 26th is barely worth a splash – ankle to knee high swell from the SSW, light cross-onshore winds, and weak wave energy. Water is sitting at 68°F, which is about 5°F warmer than normal – feels like a bath when you’re walking in, but the surf is nothing to write home about.

Thursday morning the 27th shows a little life – 1m S swell, 11-second period, energy at 494 (moderate). Winds are light cross-onshore, so it’s clean enough for a longboard or a light shortboard, but still marginal. The afternoon cleans up a bit more.

Friday the 28th afternoon is the first real standout. The swell hits 1.7m out of the WNW, short 8-second period, but the wind goes cross-offshore Northwest at about 15 km/h, and energy jumps to 826. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’ll be fun, clean, punchy waves – maybe a bit crumbly because of the short period, but great for anyone comfortable in head-high surf. Beginners might want to sit this one out.

Saturday the 29th has cleaner wind, but the swell drops to about 1m, long period from the SSW (16-17 seconds). Energy stays strong (843-849). The point setup will handle that long period well enough, but the waves might be a bit fat and straight. Still a nice day to be in the water.

After that, a few days of smaller swell and mixed winds. Sunday the 30th morning has another 1.8m WNW pulse, but onshore winds spoil the fun. Then there’s a lull through the end of August and first week of September – mostly waist to chest high SSW swell with periods of 12-17 seconds, but the wind is often cross or cross-onshore. Energy readings go up and down (233 to 910).

The second standout is Tuesday 8th September afternoon. A 1.2m SSW swell, 13-second period, and the wind goes glassy. Energy is strong at 799. That means clean, lined-up, fun waves with no chop. Definitely the pick of the second week.

Also keep an eye on Saturday 5th September afternoon – cross-offshore wind, 1.1m SSW, clean and solid (753 energy). A good session, just not the absolute best.

Overall, you’ve got a slow first few days, a fun spike Friday the 28th, then a quieter spell before a glassy, clean day on September 8th. Not a classic run, but a couple of afternoons where it’ll be worth the paddle out.

Rusty.

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