Surf Forecasts:
Refugio State Beach surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period, SSW swell with 294 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period with SSW 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 0.8m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Refugio State Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, listen up, gang. Rusty here, checking in on the Refugio State Beach scene.
The first week or so is pretty flat. We're looking at small, weak swells from the SSW, with a lot of "marginal" or "poor" labels. The waves are just not doing much, with combined swell energy mostly in the low to mid hundreds. It's not the time to get fired up. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing special there.
The action starts to pick up around the 27th of August. We see a new pulse of WNW swell building, pushing up to about 5ft on the Thursday morning, with a period of 8 seconds. That's a short period swell, but it's something. The wind is a light cross-onshore, so the surface will have a few ripples, but it's workable. The 28th of August Friday morning looks similar, with a 5ft NW swell, 8 seconds, and light winds, giving it a bit more punch.
Then we get a real run of cleaner conditions rolling into the start of September. The 1st of September Tuesday afternoon is a standout. The swell is 6ft from the WNW, with a 7-second period, and the wind switches to a clean cross-offshore breeze from the NW. That's a proper combo. The 2nd of September Wednesday morning is decent too, with a 6ft WNW swell, 8-second period, and light cross-shore wind. The 3rd of September Thursday morning bumps up to 7ft from the WNW, 9-second period, making it a bit more powerful, but the wind is a gentle cross-shore, so it won't be glassy.
For the best of the whole window, I'm calling out the 1st of September Tuesday afternoon. The 6ft WNW swell paired with a clean offshore wind gives you the best chance of some fun, lined-up waves at Refugio. It's a beach and point setup, so it can handle the swell. Just keep in mind that the crowds are often there, especially on a nice day, so expect some company. If you're a beginner, those 6ft waves might be pushing your limits, so be careful. Stronger surfers will be happy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 294 | 277 | 180 | 183 | 183 | 134 | 101 | 99 | 99 | 95 | 84 | 120 | 125 | 112 | 160 | 165 | 140 | 222 | 167 | 125 | 159 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:16PM1.80m | 7:49AM1.24m | 4:22PM1.79m | 8:37AM1.33m | 5:31PM1.82m | 8:56AM1.39m | 6:30PM1.88m | 9:14AM1.44m | 7:18PM1.96m | 9:33AM1.49m | 7:58PM2.04m | 9:51AM1.53m | 8:35PM2.09m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:31PM0.69m | 8:17AM1.24m | 00:44AM0.59m | 10:40AM1.31m | 1:35AM0.49m | 12:15PM1.30m | 2:14AM0.40m | 1:11PM1.24m | 2:47AM0.33m | 1:53PM1.16m | 3:16AM0.28m | 2:30PM1.07m | 3:43AM0.26m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 31 | 24 | 29 | 30 | 26 | 28 | 31 | 25 | 30 | 33 | 25 | 30 | 32 | 26 | 31 | 33 | 25 | 31 | 32 | 24 |
Feels °C | 30 | 30 | 22 | 29 | 30 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 23 | 29 | 31 | 23 | 29 | 31 | 24 | 29 | 31 | 23 | 29 | 30 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 294 | 277 | 180 | 81 | 183 | 56 | 54 | 99 | 99 | 95 | 84 | 120 | 65 | 66 | 160 | 165 | 140 | 222 | 167 | 125 | 159 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 12 | SSW 14 | WNW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 41 | 36 | 60 | 183 | 78 | 134 | 101 | 47 | 45 | 33 | 28 | 59 | 125 | 112 | 157 | 152 | 69 | 89 | 89 | 87 | 50 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SW 21 | S 16 | WNW 12 | SW 19 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | W 16 | W 15 |
| kJ | 16 | 18 | 5 | 60 | 14 | 79 | 47 | 49 | 48 | 51 | 20 | 20 | 85 | 17 | 10 | 10 | 28 | 10 | 11 | 20 | 38 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 5 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 89 | 74 | 71 | 150 | 94 | 14 | — | 62 | 54 | 56 | 52 | 64 | 74 | 40 | 59 | 40 | 83 | 44 | 42 | 83 | 74 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 3 | 0 | 164 | 22 | 0 | 56 | 21 | 0 | 56 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 247 | 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.
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