Refugio State Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.46° N 120.08° W

Refugio State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Refugio State Beach sea temperature is
19.8°C
2.6° 

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 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 637 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. 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 1.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sun 23rd Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 18s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 27th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sat 29th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 18s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 38°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 35°C on Wed morning, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
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
1
2
1
0
2
0
0
1
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
0
3
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
19
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.9
S
12
1
S
12
0.9
S
12
1.8
WNW
6
0.7
S
11
1.2
WNW
8
0.6
SSW
19
1
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
17
1
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
123
112
201
165
140
222
167
125
159
157
228
285
213
246
120
207
248
637
459
493
551
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
W
10
NNW
10
WSW
15
W
15
NNW
10
W
20
NW
15
NNW
10
WSW
10
W
5
NNE
10
SW
5
W
5
N
10
SW
15
WNW
10
NNW
10
W
25
NW
15
NNW
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
9:14AM1.44m
7:18PM1.96m
9:33AM1.49m
7:58PM2.04m
9:51AM1.53m
8:35PM2.09m
10:11AM1.59m
9:11PM2.10m
10:31AM1.65m
9:47PM2.07m
10:53AM1.73m
10:24PM1.98m
11:16AM1.80m
11:03PM1.85m
Low Tide
1:11PM1.24m
2:47AM0.33m
1:53PM1.16m
3:16AM0.28m
2:30PM1.07m
3:43AM0.26m
3:07PM0.99m
4:09AM0.27m
3:44PM0.90m
4:33AM0.33m
4:23PM0.82m
4:57AM0.42m
5:05PM0.75m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:26
6:28
6:28
6:28
6:30
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:37
7:37
7:36
7:34
7:32
7:31
7:30
 mm
Temp °C
30
31
26
32
34
27
35
38
27
35
35
28
31
34
27
32
35
26
34
36
22
Feels °C
29
31
24
30
31
23
33
34
23
33
34
26
30
33
24
30
33
22
31
31
18
  • 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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