Surf Forecasts:
Refugio State Beach surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with 651 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s 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 (Jul 14) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s 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 2.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Refugio State Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s comin’ down the line.
Honestly, the start ain’t pretty. Tuesday and Wednesday at Refugio State Beach are flat and messy – we got little 2ft to 4ft swells with junk winds, no reason to get wet.
Thursday the 16th gets a bit more push, swell hitting about 7ft from the WNW with a short period, but that cross-onshore breeze keeps it sloppy. The wave energy climbs into moderate territory, but the ride ain’t clean.
Friday the 17th stays around 5ft, onshore winds, still poor. Saturday and Sunday drop back to tiny 2ft waves with long periods – that groundswell is there but it’s not got any form with the wind blowing right into it.
Here’s where it gets real. Wednesday the 22nd of July, we see a proper swell: 6ft from the S, period of 16 seconds, and the combined energy hits 1473 – that’s strong. With light onshore breeze, it’s not perfect, but the potential on the point is there. This is the start of our best run.
Thursday the 23rd holds 6ft to 7ft from the S, period around 14 to 15 seconds, light cross-shore winds. It’s a bit textured but rideable. Friday and Saturday keep that energy going with similar size. Crowds are likely – Refugio gets busy, so get there early.
The standout is Wednesday the 22nd into Thursday the 23rd. That S swell with 6ft to 7ft and energy in the 1400s is the biggest and most consistent we see. Anything over 5ft is getting big for beginners, and over 8ft is expert-only. This is your window.
After the 26th, we trail off back to small, weak surf through the 29th. Water temp is normal for the season, no big change.
So, first week is a write-off. The real surf shows up around the 22nd of July and holds for a few days. That’s where you wanna be. After that, back to small stuff.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 17 | WNW 17 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | S 13 | SW 17 | S 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 117 | 121 | 152 | 136 | 254 | 500 | 500 | 416 | 445 | 199 | 170 | 232 | 249 | 206 | 198 | 330 | 354 | 208 | 255 | 258 | 330 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:22AM1.58m | 10:07PM2.48m | 12:05PM1.64m | 10:57PM2.36m | 12:47PM1.69m | 11:47PM2.17m | 1:29PM1.75m | 00:39AM1.93m | 2:12PM1.80m | 1:36AM1.67m | 2:55PM1.83m | 2:46AM1.43m | 3:41PM1.86m | 4:23AM1.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:51PM1.03m | 5:28AM-0.12m | 4:47PM1.00m | 6:10AM-0.01m | 5:46PM0.98m | 6:50AM0.15m | 6:50PM0.97m | 7:29AM0.35m | 8:00PM0.95m | 8:06AM0.57m | 9:20PM0.91m | 8:42AM0.78m | 10:47PM0.83m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 31 | 28 | 33 | 33 | 26 | 30 | 32 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 29 | 25 | 32 | 32 | 22 | 29 | 31 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 9 | SW 16 | SW 19 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 117 | 121 | 95 | 63 | 93 | 125 | 288 | 88 | 177 | 199 | 119 | 71 | 249 | 203 | 198 | 330 | 280 | 195 | 242 | 144 | 330 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | WNW 19 | WNW 19 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 17 | WNW 16 | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 10 |
| kJ | 43 | 111 | 152 | 107 | 49 | 48 | 89 | 123 | 120 | 180 | 170 | 232 | 203 | 206 | 64 | 293 | 354 | 208 | 255 | 258 | 90 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 20 | WNW 20 | SSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | WNW 6 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 |
| kJ | 42 | 41 | 69 | 35 | 35 | 78 | 75 | 27 | 54 | 74 | 74 | 78 | 48 | 33 | 33 | 138 | 137 | 126 | 18 | 81 | 80 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | ESE 3 | — | E 4 | ESE 3 | — | NW 8 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | NW 9 | W 6 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | — | 21 | 59 | 136 | 254 | 500 | 500 | 416 | 445 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 60 | — | 18 | 35 | 112 | 16 | 37 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 34 | 328 | 0 | 21 | 56 | 0 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 168 | 0 | 34 | 170 | 0 | 170 | 22 | 0 | 33 | 22 |
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.
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