Refugio State Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.46° N 120.08° W

Refugio State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 25 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Refugio State Beach sea temperature is
19.7° C
2.8° 

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 26 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, S swell with 956 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 20s 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 (Jul 25) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 20s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s 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 1.6m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore 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 (Aug 01) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sat 25th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 20s
Best Surf 8AM (Mon 27th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 18s
Most Powerful 5PM (Fri 31st Jul)5ft (1.6m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for Refugio State Beach over the next two weeks and a bit.

The whole period starts off pretty quiet. There's some swell around, but honestly, for most of it the conditions are just marginal, with a few windows where it might clean up for a session.

Let's start with this Saturday, the 25th. We've got SW swell coming in at about 3 ft, but that morning wind is a light cross-onshore, so it's a bit bumpy. The combined swell energy is pretty hefty at (1143), but it's just not lining up right. Saturday afternoon doesn't look any better.

Now, Sunday the 26th is where we get a little glimmer. The morning is still a write-off with that cloud and cross-onshore breeze, but by Sunday afternoon, the wind swings to a light NW cross-offshore. That's going to clean it right up. Swell's still a modest 3 ft from the SSW, but with that clean surface, the wave comment was 'very good surf conditions'. It's a standout for the whole forecast. The water's feeling like a bath, sitting at 68°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year by 5°.

Monday the 27th offers a repeat. Mornings have that light cross-onshore wind making things messy, but by the afternoon, that NW cross-offshore breeze returns again. Swell picks up just a hair to 4 ft from the SW, and it cleans up nicely. Another solid window.

After that, the quality fades. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons have light cross or onshore winds. By Thursday the 30th, we have a stronger 4 ft swell from the S with a period dropping to 14 seconds, but the wind is cross-onshore again. Friday the 31st sees the swell building to 5 ft from the S, but again, the wind is just not working with us, and the rating is terrible.

Into the second week, the whole thing basically falls apart. From August 2nd onward, the swell drops off a cliff and the wind stays onshore or cross-onshore. There are some really long gaps here with nothing to recommend. From that Sunday morning on the 2nd right through to the end of the forecast on August 9th, it's all either 'marginal' or 'poor'. The swell sizes get tiny, down to 1 ft, and the combined energy plummets into the low hundreds (140 or less). Honestly, from about the 5th of August, you'd be better off doing something else.

So, if you're chasing a wave, your best bets are Sunday afternoon the 26th and Monday afternoon the 27th. The swell isn't massive, but that offshore wind will make for some clean, fun waves at this beach and point setup. Just be aware that crowds are likely here, so get out there early.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
2
3
3
2
3
3
2
2
3
2
1
3
2
2
3
2
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
21
0.7
SW
20
1
SW
19
0.9
SW
19
0.9
SSW
18
1
SW
18
1.1
SW
18
0.9
SW
19
1
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
17
1.1
SW
17
1.2
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
1.2
S
15
1.3
S
14
1.4
S
14
1.5
S
14
1.6
S
14
1.5
S
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
664
428
738
546
559
614
735
518
608
742
679
787
499
481
469
631
687
797
915
956
796
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
W
10
NNW
10
WSW
15
NW
10
N
10
WSW
15
NW
5
N
10
SW
10
WNW
5
NNE
10
SSW
10
WSW
5
E
10
S
10
SW
5
E
10
SSW
10
WSW
5
NNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
9:39AM1.39m
7:37PM2.03m
10:06AM1.43m
8:17PM2.10m
10:32AM1.46m
8:55PM2.15m
10:58AM1.49m
9:30PM2.17m
11:24AM1.52m
10:05PM2.15m
11:50AM1.56m
10:39PM2.08m
12:16PM1.60m
11:14PM1.97m
Low Tide
1:16PM1.23m
3:15AM0.29m
2:01PM1.20m
3:48AM0.23m
2:40PM1.16m
4:20AM0.20m
3:18PM1.11m
4:50AM0.19m
3:55PM1.08m
5:18AM0.22m
4:34PM1.05m
5:45AM0.28m
5:17PM1.02m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
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
6:05
6:07
6:07
6:09
6:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:07
8:07
8:06
8:05
8:04
8:02
8:02
 mm
Temp °C
28
31
26
29
33
23
30
32
22
30
30
23
27
28
23
26
27
23
27
29
26
Feels °C
28
30
24
28
31
20
28
30
19
28
29
21
27
28
24
27
27
24
27
29
24
  • 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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