Refugio State Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.46° N 120.08° W

Refugio State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Refugio State Beach sea temperature is
19.1° C
2.4° 

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 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 21s period, SW swell with 664 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period with WNW 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 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period. 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 0.9m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) 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 1.4m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sat 18th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 16s
Best Surf 8PM (Sun 19th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 17s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sat 25th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 21s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, giving you the rundown for Refugio State Beach.

This whole 16-day outlook is a bit of a waiting game. We’ve got a steady South and South-Southwest swell, but it’s going to be a patience test. The water is a warm 66°F, which is 4°F warmer than usual, so you might be fine in a shorty.

Starting Saturday, July 18th, it’s tiny. Swell is 2ft from the Southwest, with a super long 18-second period. That’s a real groundswell, but it’s barely showing. The energy is moderate (516), and the wind is a light onshore breeze, so it’s a little bumpy. More of a paddle than a surf.

Sunday the 19th is a little better, with a 3ft swell from the SW, period dropping to 17 seconds. The energy is up a bit (625). Light wind again.

Monday the 20th is a tease. Morning has 3ft from the South, but the period drops to 12 seconds, which is a shorter-period wind swell. The wind is light, but the afternoon gets ugly with a 12 mph cross-shore from the WNW, chopping it up.

The middle of the week, from Tuesday the 21st to Thursday the 23rd, is rough. Swell is 3ft to 4ft, but the wind is a consistent, moderate cross-shore from the WNW, making a mess. The energy is moderate, but you’re fighting a chop. It’s kite-surfing territory.

Now, Friday the 24th is interesting. The swell is only 2ft from the SW, but the period jumps to a massive 24 seconds. That’s a very long-period groundswell. The energy is high (906). The wind is a light cross-on, so it’s a little textured, but that long period might make it a bit straight for the beach.

The next weekend, Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th, is more of the same. Swell is 2ft to 3ft from the SW. The energy is strong (1063 on Saturday morning). Light onshore winds.

The real standout is Tuesday, July 28th. The morning is best. Swell is 4ft from the Southwest, with a 17-second period. The energy is very strong (1394). The wind is light and from the South, blowing onshore, but it’s unknown – it could glass off. If it does, Refugio will have some fun, punchy lines. The afternoon is similar.

Wednesday the 29th is also decent. Swell is 4ft from the SSW, with a 16-second period. The energy is still strong (1054). The afternoon goes glassy.

The last real highlight is Thursday, July 30th. The afternoon is the best. Swell is 3ft from the SSW, with a 15-second period, and the wind goes glassy. The energy is moderate (457). That’s clean, small, and fun.

The final weekend, August 1st and 2nd, fades. Saturday morning has 5ft, but the wind turns cross-shore, and by Sunday, the swell drops to 2ft and the wind is a blustery 12 mph cross-off from the NW. The energy is weak (178). It’s a washout.

So, if you’re after the best, aim for Tuesday, July 28th (morning) and Thursday, July 30th (afternoon). The first week is a grind, but the second week has more promise. Crowds are possible here, so plan accordingly.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
1
1
2
2
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
2
2
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
WNW
16
0.8
SW
17
0.8
SW
17
1
S
12
1
S
12
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
12
1.2
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
1.1
S
13
0.7
SW
24
1
S
13
0.8
SW
21
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
249
203
198
358
354
282
264
255
330
189
588
362
325
321
321
207
207
411
563
324
548
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
WSW
5
N
10
SW
10
WSW
5
N
5
SW
20
WNW
10
NNW
10
WSW
25
WNW
15
NNW
10
W
25
WNW
15
NNW
10
W
20
WNW
10
NNW
10
WSW
10
W
5
N
Wind State
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
2:12PM1.80m
1:36AM1.67m
2:55PM1.83m
2:46AM1.43m
3:41PM1.86m
4:23AM1.26m
4:28PM1.87m
6:27AM1.22m
5:18PM1.89m
8:08AM1.27m
6:07PM1.92m
9:04AM1.34m
6:54PM1.97m
Low Tide
8:00PM0.95m
8:06AM0.57m
9:20PM0.91m
8:42AM0.78m
10:47PM0.83m
9:21AM0.96m
00:08AM0.71m
10:09AM1.11m
1:12AM0.58m
11:13AM1.20m
2:00AM0.47m
12:21PM1.24m
2:40AM0.37m
clear
clear
clear
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>
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:03
6:03
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:10
8:10
8:09
8:09
8:08
8:08
8:07
 mm
Temp °C
24
27
23
26
27
23
27
31
26
30
33
27
31
34
26
32
34
24
28
30
24
Feels °C
24
26
22
25
25
21
25
27
22
27
30
25
30
31
24
31
32
21
27
28
22
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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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