Refugio State Beach surf break

Refugio State Beach surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 am Saturday 20 Dec 2025 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
17.1° C
(Which is 2.9°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 Saturday (Dec 20) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Refugio State Beach in the next 12 days are 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 25) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Dec 24) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sat 20th Dec)4ft (1.2m) 11s
Best Surf 4PM (Sat 27th Dec)5.5ft (1.7m) 12s
Most Powerful 4PM (Thu 25th Dec)8ft (2.5m) 10s

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 22°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 72mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Tue afternoon, light winds from the SE by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
WNW
1.2
WNW
0.9
WNW
0.9
W
0.9
W
0.8
W
0.9
WNW
1.1
W
0.9
W
0.8
W
0.5
NW
1.6
SSW
1
NW
0.9
WNW
1.9
S
2.5
SW
2.5
SW
2.4
SW
2.2
WSW
1.9
WSW
1.5
WSW
Period(s) (?)111110111111101099136121279101010109
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)256328173191191146159216129958421229726432695212031145906674367
Wind
(km/h)
5
NW
5
W
5
NNW
5
W
10
W
5
NNW
5
WNW
5
WSW
5
ESE
20
SE
30
SE
30
S
15
S
25
SSE
25
SSE
25
SSW
10
SSW
10
ESE
20
ESE
25
ESE
20
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glassglassglassglasscross-
on
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononcrosscrosscrosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:20PM
1.43
9:25AM
2.16
12:00AM
1.43
9:59AM
2.11
12:41AM
1.44
10:34AM
2.02
1:21AM
1.47
11:12AM
1.90
1:58AM
1.54
11:58AM
1.73
2:35AM
1.63
1:01PM
1.54
3:12AM
1.75
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:27PM
0.17
3:05AM
1.21
5:03PM
0.19
3:41AM
1.23
5:39PM
0.24
4:23AM
1.25
6:13PM
0.30
5:16AM
1.27
6:47PM
0.39
6:28AM
1.27
7:22PM
0.49
7:59AM
1.20
7:59PM
0.62
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Sunrise7:01--7:01--7:03--7:03--7:03--7:03--7:05--
Sunset-4:52--4:52--4:53--4:53--4:54--4:54--4:55-
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
Rain (mm)
----------2346713622-127
Temp. °C222015201714201916171616151516161614161616
Feels °C (?)212015201614191916131111131112121513131213
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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