Surf Forecasts:
Refugio State Beach surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 601 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period with SSW 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 11) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. 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 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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 1.4m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Refugio State Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s call it how it is. We’re looking at a mostly flat stretch over these next couple of weeks, but a few little windows might give you a reason to wax up.
Right now through the first week, the surf is tiny, weak, and rarely clean. The combined swell energy stays moderate at best (188 to 530). Wave heights are mostly 2 ft to 3 ft, coming from the south and southwest. Problem is, it’s almost always a light cross-onshore breeze, messing up the surface with small ripples and chop. The water temp is about normal for this time of year.
The main spot is Refugio State Beach, a beach and point break that’s beginner-friendly and fairly consistent. That’s a plus, but the quality just isn’t there. On Thursday, August 14th, we get a pulse of energy—combined swell energy hits 515, with a very long 19-second period from the SSW. That’s a proper groundswell. But wave height is only 2 ft to 2 ft, and that long period will make it even more drawn out and small. Wind is light cross-onshore. Not really worth a paddle.
Around Saturday, August 22nd, we get a bump from the WNW. Morning swell hits 5 ft with a short period of 9 seconds—steeper, dumpy waves. Wind is light and onshore. By afternoon, it’s 5 ft, but the period drops to 8 seconds, and the cross-onshore wind is still there. That’s a messy closeout, and for beginners, 5 ft is a bit much. Not ideal.
The second week is the same story: small, marginal, and cross-onshore. A few pulses of SW swell around the 25th and 26th bring 2 ft to 3 ft with OK 16 to 18-second periods, but the wind stays cross-onshore. Nothing to get excited about.
If you’re really looking, the best shot might be Wednesday morning, August 19th: 3 ft of SSW swell with a 16-second groundswell, and a clean, cross-offshore breeze from the NW at 15 mph. That’s the cleanest we’ve got. The point will have some lined-up little waves, but remember—crowds can get heavy here when it’s clean and there’s any wave at all.
Overall, this is a quiet, flat run. Expect long gaps with nothing surfable for days. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s slim pickings.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | S 13 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 137 | 84 | 154 | 207 | 133 | 208 | 206 | 201 | 245 | 232 | 199 | 280 | 276 | 407 | 330 | 519 | 414 | 372 | 362 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:20PM2.39m | 10:14AM1.62m | 9:11PM2.40m | 10:48AM1.70m | 9:59PM2.34m | 11:22AM1.78m | 10:46PM2.20m | 11:56AM1.84m | 11:33PM2.00m | 12:31PM1.88m | 00:22AM1.76m | 1:05PM1.89m | 1:17AM1.53m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:41AM-0.05m | 2:58PM0.97m | 4:20AM-0.04m | 3:51PM0.87m | 4:57AM0.05m | 4:43PM0.80m | 5:32AM0.19m | 5:35PM0.76m | 6:05AM0.37m | 6:30PM0.74m | 6:36AM0.58m | 7:29PM0.75m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 20 | 26 | 27 | 21 |
Feels °C | 23 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 23 | 25 | 19 | 25 | 25 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | S 13 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 137 | 84 | 154 | 207 | 133 | 208 | 206 | 201 | 245 | 232 | 169 | 214 | 272 | 407 | 330 | 519 | 414 | 372 | 362 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | SSW 12 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 10 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 55 | 30 | 27 | 47 | 32 | 64 | 64 | 39 | 37 | 56 | 45 | 280 | 276 | 44 | 120 | 19 | 8 | 15 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 14 | S 12 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | S 10 | SW 9 |
| kJ | 96 | 74 | 75 | 28 | 46 | 61 | 37 | 37 | 33 | 98 | 199 | 36 | 37 | 19 | 23 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 13 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | NW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | 22 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 102 | 35 | 32 | 31 | 72 | 50 | 42 | 50 | 55 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 31 | 22 | 0 | 204 | 22 | 0 | 170 | 22 | 0 | 33 | 22 | 0 | 170 | 22 | 0 | 158 | 22 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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