Surf Forecasts:
Refugio State Beach surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, WNW swell with 965 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 16s 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 2.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Refugio State Beach over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up for Refugio State Beach over the next 16 days.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. The first real window of interest shows up on Wednesday afternoon, July 8th. We’re looking at a 7ft swell from the WNW with a period of 8 seconds. The energy is moderate at 898, and with a cross-offshore breeze from the NW at 9 mph, it’ll be clean. The water temperature is 63°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. This is a beginner-friendly break, but the swell is strong enough to keep it interesting.
Thursday afternoon, July 9th, is where things get a little more interesting. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the WNW, period still around 8 seconds, but the real kicker is the glassy conditions with the wind coming from the West at just 3 mph. That’s going to make for some clean, smooth faces. The energy is solid at 838. It’s not the biggest swell, but the quality of the conditions will make it a standout.
The middle of the period, from Friday July 10th through to the end of the second week, is pretty grim. We’re looking at a long run of small, weak swells, mostly under 3ft, with cross-on winds and marginal surf. There’s a brief pulse around Tuesday July 14th with 5ft to 5ft from the WNW, but the wind is onshore or cross-shore, and the surf quality is rated poor. It’s a long stretch of small, choppy, and uninviting waves.
There is a late pulse on Monday July 20th with a 5ft swell from the South, period 14 seconds, and moderate energy around 1211. That’s a long-period groundswell, which can be a bit straight at a beach break, but Refugio is a beach and point, so the point might offer up some shape. Still, the wind is cross-on or onshore, so it’s not going to be a clean day.
Overall, the best bet is that Thursday afternoon, July 9th, with the glassy conditions. The rest of the run is mostly a write-off, with small, wind-affected waves and plenty of days where you’re better off with a longboard or a different hobby. Crowds are likely here, but with the quality on offer, it might be quiet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wed 15 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WNW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 497 | 412 | 370 | 505 | 298 | 246 | 354 | 246 | 249 | 220 | 297 | 297 | 226 | 201 | 201 | 363 | 322 | 306 | 643 | 415 | 629 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:34AM1.23m | 5:43PM2.10m | 8:02AM1.29m | 6:36PM2.24m | 9:05AM1.38m | 7:30PM2.37m | 9:55AM1.45m | 8:24PM2.47m | 10:40AM1.52m | 9:16PM2.51m | 11:22AM1.58m | 10:07PM2.48m | 12:05PM1.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:28AM0.62m | 10:39AM1.03m | 1:27AM0.38m | 11:45AM1.11m | 2:20AM0.16m | 12:53PM1.13m | 3:10AM-0.01m | 1:55PM1.12m | 3:58AM-0.12m | 2:54PM1.08m | 4:43AM-0.15m | 3:51PM1.03m | 5:28AM-0.12m | 4:47PM1.00m | |||||||
 | | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — |
 | 8:15 | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:13 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 30 | 31 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 22 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 33 |
Feels °C | 19 | 28 | 30 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 24 | 25 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 417 | 412 | 322 | 308 | 249 | 172 | 186 | 128 | 92 | 220 | 297 | 297 | 119 | 137 | 103 | 217 | 190 | 89 | 109 | 107 | 93 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 175 | 2 | 2 | 392 | 298 | 246 | 242 | 246 | 249 | 76 | 78 | 94 | 207 | 201 | 201 | 161 | 86 | 111 | 66 | 15 | 29 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 17 | S 16 | S 9 | S 11 | S 18 | S 18 | S 20 | S 19 | S 18 | S 14 | W 17 | SW 21 | W 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | WNW 15 | W 14 | WNW 15 | S 14 | WNW 21 |
| kJ | 93 | 91 | 82 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 30 | 30 | 54 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 21 | 59 | 59 | 42 | 16 | 21 | 14 | 43 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 9 | — | — | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 497 | 308 | 370 | 505 | — | — | 354 | — | — | — | — | — | 226 | — | — | 363 | 322 | 306 | 643 | 415 | 629 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 164 | 170 | 8 | 19 | 21 | 0 | 19 | 22 | 0 | 31 | 22 | 0 | 33 | 21 | 0 | 22 |
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.
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