Refugio State Beach surf break

Refugio State Beach surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Monday 04 May 2026 PDT
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
14.5° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

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 (May 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Refugio State Beach in the next 16 days are 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 07) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (May 05) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Tue 5th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 13s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 7th May)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Most Powerful 8PM (Thu 7th May)5ft (1.6m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Mon
11
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
2
1
0
1
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
2
3
1
2
2
1
1
Swell
Height Map
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
14
0.8
WNW
13
0.8
WNW
13
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.7
WNW
13
0.7
WNW
12
1.5
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
7
1.3
WNW
8
1.8
WNW
8
1.3
WNW
9
1.9
WNW
8
1.7
WNW
9
1.4
WNW
9
0.8
SSW
18
0.7
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
294
215
212
193
193
133
134
147
129
636
202
196
453
237
488
528
287
348
229
291
288
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
15
WNW
30
WNW
10
N
10
SSW
15
W
10
NNW
10
SW
15
W
10
NNW
10
SW
10
WNW
5
NNW
10
SW
10
WNW
5
NNW
10
SW
5
SW
5
E
10
SSW
5
SW
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
on
cross
cross-off
on
cross
cross-off
on
on
glassy
on
on
High Tide
11:22PM1.98m
2:43PM1.35m
11:58PM1.91m
4:55PM1.36m
00:38AM1.82m
1:31AM1.72m
6:24PM1.48m
2:44AM1.64m
6:32PM1.56m
4:10AM1.57m
6:44PM1.66m
5:31AM1.55m
7:00PM1.79m
Low Tide
7:14AM0.40m
5:17PM1.30m
8:08AM0.47m
5:18PM1.36m
9:06AM0.51m
10:03AM0.54m
9:33PM1.43m
10:52AM0.56m
11:19PM1.32m
11:33AM0.58m
00:23AM1.14m
12:10PM0.61m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
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>
6:05
6:05
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:46
7:47
7:49
7:50
7:50
7:51
7:52
Temp °C
15
19
20
14
19
21
16
22
25
17
23
25
18
24
26
18
24
25
21
25
25
12
15
14
10
17
19
14
21
24
15
22
24
15
22
24
16
23
24
21
24
24
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
14
0.8
WNW
13
0.8
WNW
13
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.7
WNW
13
0.7
WNW
12
0.4
SW
13
1
WNW
7
0.6
WNW
11
0.4
SSW
18
1.3
WNW
9
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
18
1.4
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
8
1.3
WNW
8
1.2
WNW
9
0.9
WNW
9
Energy kJ
294
215
212
193
193
133
134
147
129
44
114
78
127
237
171
299
287
221
227
232
149
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
15
0.7
WNW
12
0.6
WNW
5
0.4
WNW
12
0.4
NW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.2
SSW
19
0.7
WNW
11
0.4
SW
18
0.3
SW
13
0.4
SSW
16
0.4
SSW
20
0.4
WNW
14
0.5
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
18
0.7
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
Energy kJ
173
138
142
127
23
53
52
99
95
36
113
78
26
94
152
80
178
348
229
291
288
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSW
13
0.4
SW
17
0.2
SSE
12
0.2
SSE
11
0.6
WNW
12
0.2
SSE
11
0.4
NW
11
0.1
SW
19
0.1
SW
18
0.1
SW
18
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.2
WNW
16
0.4
SSW
20
0.4
NW
15
0.1
SW
12
0.4
WNW
13
0.5
WNW
13
0.2
S
12
0.2
S
12
0.4
WNW
11
Energy kJ
34
77
14
12
93
12
31
15
13
12
44
43
26
131
56
6
67
92
12
11
51
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WNW
3
0.7
WNW
4
1.1
WNW
5
1
NW
5
0.8
WNW
6
0.7
WNW
5
1
WNW
6
0.7
WNW
6
1.2
WNW
5
1.5
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
7
1.3
WNW
8
1.8
WNW
8
1.9
WNW
8
1.7
WNW
9
1.6
WNW
8
Energy kJ
4
12
48
45
39
28
60
39
75
636
202
196
453
488
528
331
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
2
2
2
3
4
2
2
2
2
Distance (km)
0
56
326
0
170
3
0
22
3
0
56
3
0
56
3
0
33
22
0
117
22
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
1
1
1
3
1
2
3
3
4
3
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
3
2
2
2
4
1
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
4
3
3
3
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
9
6
8
5
5
5
7
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
9
  • 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 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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