Refugio State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at what’s on offer for the Refugio stretch over the next couple of weeks. Let’s be straight with each other – the 16-day window is a bit of a mixed bag, and we’ve got a slow start.

Right now, we’re in a bit of a lull. The first several days don’t really have any surf that’s worth paddling out for. The conditions are marginal at best, with small, weak swells and a light cross-onshore breeze that’s just putting a little ripple on the surface. The water is running much warmer than usual for this time of year, sitting at 68°, which is a solid 6° above the norm. That’s very unusual, and it’s a bit of a trip to feel that warm water under your feet when the waves are so quiet. It’s going to be a blank run for a few days, so don’t bother rushing down there just yet.

Things start to look a little more promising as we head into the first weekend of August. Sunday morning, the 2nd of August, is the first real standout. The swell picks up to a solid 7ft from the WNW, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy jumps to a strong 1184, so there’s some real power in the water. The wind is light and blowing straight onshore, which isn’t ideal, but the size and energy are there. This is a fair bit of punch for Refugio, so it’s going to be a bigger, more powerful day. That kind of size is getting into the territory where it’s better for experienced surfers.

The next notable pulse comes in on Saturday, the 8th of August. The morning looks best with a 5ft swell from the NW, a 10-second period, and a combined energy of 807. The wind is a light cross-onshore, which is manageable. The swell direction is a good match for the spot’s optimum from the west. This is a day where the waves will have a bit more shape and push, and it’s a better all-around option for the average surfer compared to the bigger Sunday morning.

For a specific spot, Refugio State Beach (United States) is the only game in town. It’s a beach and point setup, fairly consistent, and it’s exposed to the west swell. It can get crowded often, so don’t expect to have it to yourself. The best of the best on offer is that Sunday morning, the 2nd of August, for the big, powerful 7ft WNW swell, but it’s for the more experienced crew. The Saturday, the 8th of August, is the better call for a cleaner, more user-friendly session on a 5ft NW swell.

So, overall, there’s a gap of quiet days, then a couple of windows with real size. The longer-range stuff is promising but less certain. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because it tends not to stay poor for long around here.

Rusty.

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