
Surf Forecasts:
Refugio State Beach surf forecast from 21 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 25 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 26 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, NW swell with 530 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 21 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s 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 Monday (Sep 21) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. 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 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 26) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 27) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 21st Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 25th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 26th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Refugio State Beach over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | Wednesday 23 | Thursday 24 | Friday 25 | Saturday 26 | Sunday 27 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SW 14 | NW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
465 | 459 | 318 | 299 | 367 | 302 | 269 | 289 | 226 | 206 | 191 | 347 | 232 | 229 | 215 | 416 | 214 | 210 | 197 | 150 | 232 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:31AM1.52m | 6:49PM1.84m | 8:44AM1.58m | 7:32PM1.90m | 8:59AM1.66m | 8:12PM1.93m | 9:16AM1.75m | 8:52PM1.93m | 9:35AM1.85m | 9:32PM1.89m | 9:57AM1.95m | 10:15PM1.82m | 10:22AM2.04m | 11:02PM1.70m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:03PM1.21m | 2:02AM0.41m | 1:42PM1.09m | 2:29AM0.39m | 2:18PM0.96m | 2:54AM0.40m | 2:54PM0.81m | 3:19AM0.45m | 3:31PM0.66m | 3:43AM0.52m | 4:11PM0.53m | 4:09AM0.63m | 4:54PM0.42m | 4:35AM0.76m | |||||||
6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 24 | 17 | 23 | 26 | 20 | 27 | 28 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 23 | 28 | 29 | 22 | 27 | 28 | 21 | 27 | 29 | 20 |
Feels °C | 22 | 23 | 15 | 23 | 25 | 19 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 22 | 27 | 28 | 21 | 26 | 27 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSW 12 | S 14 |
465 | 459 | 318 | 299 | 367 | 302 | 131 | 289 | 226 | 183 | 146 | 186 | 81 | 229 | 215 | 227 | 189 | 210 | 89 | 150 | 134 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | NW 15 | NW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | NW 10 | WNW 11 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
47 | 44 | 25 | 23 | 33 | 61 | 269 | 217 | 217 | 206 | 191 | 186 | 232 | 27 | 85 | 154 | 55 | 89 | 197 | 94 | 167 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | SE 9 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | S 11 | S 11 | NW 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | NW 11 | SW 19 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSE 14 | NW 9 | SSE 14 | S 11 |
4 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 21 | 21 | 71 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 14 | 11 | 37 | 18 | 19 | 41 | 18 | 36 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | WNW 4 | NW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 11 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 |
33 | 44 | 51 | 38 | 48 | 157 | — | — | — | — | — | 347 | — | 68 | 88 | 416 | 214 | 164 | 27 | 103 | 232 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 56 | 0 | 170 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 19 | 21 | 0 | 21 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 56 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










