Refugio State Beach surf break

Refugio State Beach surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 am Sunday 03 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
14.4° 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 Sunday (May 03) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s is also forecast. 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 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 10) 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (May 08) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 3rd May)2ft (0.6m) 11s
Best Surf 8AM (Sat 9th May)7.5ft (2.3m) 9s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 10th May)7.5ft (2.3m) 9s

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 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the W by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
3
2
2
3
Swell
Height Map
<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>
<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)
0.7
WNW
12
0.8
WNW
11
0.6
WNW
16
0.9
WNW
15
0.9
WNW
14
0.9
WNW
14
0.8
WNW
13
0.8
WNW
13
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.7
WNW
13
0.7
WNW
12
0.4
SW
13
1.3
WNW
7
2.1
WNW
8
2.1
WNW
9
2
WNW
9
1.9
WNW
8
2
WNW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
119
140
173
339
362
294
215
212
193
193
133
99
147
131
44
177
487
749
564
432
701
Wind (km/h)
10
S
15
WSW
10
NNW
10
SSW
10
WSW
10
NNW
20
WNW
25
WNW
5
N
10
SSW
15
W
10
NNW
10
WSW
15
WNW
10
NNW
10
WSW
15
NW
5
NNE
10
SSW
5
W
5
NE
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
off
on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
12:28PM1.44m
10:50PM2.05m
1:26PM1.38m
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
Low Tide
4:33PM1.17m
6:26AM0.34m
4:57PM1.24m
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
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:07
6:05
6:05
6:03
6:03
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:45
7:46
7:46
7:47
7:49
7:50
7:50
Temp °C
16
17
14
17
17
14
18
20
13
18
20
16
23
25
17
23
25
16
23
23
17
15
15
10
14
14
11
13
14
9
16
18
13
22
24
14
22
24
13
21
22
16
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
WNW
12
0.4
WNW
18
0.7
WNW
11
0.9
WNW
15
0.9
WNW
14
0.9
WNW
14
0.8
WNW
13
0.8
WNW
13
0.7
WNW
12
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.7
WNW
13
0.7
WNW
12
0.4
SW
13
0.8
WNW
11
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SSW
18
1.5
WNW
9
0.6
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
18
Energy kJ
119
123
103
339
362
294
215
212
127
193
133
99
147
131
44
138
78
126
328
171
385
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSW
16
0.4
SSW
15
0.6
WNW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SW
16
0.6
WNW
12
0.5
WNW
12
0.4
WNW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.2
SSW
19
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.3
SW
13
0.4
SSW
16
0.4
SSW
20
0.4
WNW
14
Energy kJ
51
84
173
166
66
173
138
142
193
93
77
79
99
95
36
43
43
26
94
151
80
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.4
SSW
15
0.2
SSE
13
0.4
SSW
13
0.3
SSW
13
0.4
SW
17
0.3
SSE
12
0.2
SSE
11
0.4
WNW
5
0.2
WNW
16
0.4
NW
11
0.1
SW
19
0.1
SW
18
0.1
SW
18
0.3
SW
17
0.2
WNW
18
0.2
WNW
16
0.4
SSW
20
0.4
WNW
15
0.1
SW
12
Energy kJ
8
8
84
17
70
34
77
27
12
7
25
31
15
13
12
45
30
26
131
85
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
WNW
11
0.3
WNW
3
0.4
WNW
3
0.6
WNW
4
1
WNW
4
0.9
NW
4
0.6
W
4
1.1
WNW
5
0.9
WNW
6
1.3
WNW
6
1.7
WNW
6
1.3
WNW
7
2.1
WNW
8
2.1
WNW
9
2
WNW
9
1.9
WNW
8
2
WNW
10
Energy kJ
140
2
4
8
35
29
15
61
57
100
191
177
487
749
564
432
701
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
3
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
2
3
3
Distance (km)
33
22
0
54
22
0
56
326
0
170
22
0
170
21
0
21
5
0
168
21
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
1
1
3
4
1
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
6
8
6
5
6
6
7
7
5
5
5
4
6
  • 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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