Refugio State Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.46° N 120.08° W

Refugio State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 18 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Refugio State Beach sea temperature is
21.6°C
4.3° 

Refugio State Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Refugio State Beach surf forecast from 19 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 26 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period, SSW swell with 539 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 19 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period with SW 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 Saturday (Sep 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s 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 16 days are 1.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 26) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sat 19th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 18s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 20th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 17s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sat 26th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Refugio State Beach over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
0
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.7
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
15
0.8
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
179
252
307
255
375
370
358
465
459
318
299
367
302
273
258
305
312
352
271
Wind (km/h)
10
N
10
SW
10
WNW
5
N
5
SSW
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
SSW
10
W
10
NNW
5
SW
10
W
5
NNE
5
SSW
10
WSW
10
ESE
10
S
10
SW
5
E
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross
off
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
8:18AM1.41m
4:47PM1.71m
8:19AM1.46m
5:57PM1.77m
8:31AM1.52m
6:49PM1.84m
8:44AM1.58m
7:32PM1.90m
8:59AM1.66m
8:12PM1.93m
9:16AM1.75m
8:52PM1.93m
Low Tide
11:58PM0.60m
10:40AM1.39m
00:52AM0.53m
12:13PM1.32m
1:31AM0.46m
1:03PM1.21m
2:02AM0.41m
1:42PM1.09m
2:29AM0.39m
2:18PM0.96m
2:54AM0.40m
2:54PM0.81m
3:19AM0.45m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:45
6:46
6:47
6:48
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:00
7:00
6:58
6:57
6:55
6:53
 mm
Temp °C
18
25
27
20
25
25
20
23
24
17
23
25
19
25
26
22
25
26
21
Feels °C
17
23
25
19
25
24
20
23
24
16
23
24
18
25
26
23
26
26
22
  • 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 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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