Refugio State Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for the next couple of weeks here at Refugio State Beach. It’s a bit of a slow start, I gotta be honest with you. The next few days are looking pretty flat, and when there is a little bump, the conditions are just not playing ball. We’ve got a long stretch of marginal to poor surf ahead, so don’t be in a rush to grab your board just yet.

The first real chance to even consider getting wet looks like it might be the morning of Monday, August 17th. That’s a full week and a half away, so keep that in mind. On that morning, we’re looking at a small 3 ft swell coming from the SSW, which is the direction this spot likes best. The wind is a light, offshore breeze from the WNW, which is a huge plus – it’ll keep the surface clean. The combined wave energy will be moderate (361). The water is unusually warm, sitting at 69°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a nice little bonus. But honestly, the size is tiny, so it’s only going to be worth a look for the beginners or anyone on a longboard wanting a gentle paddle.

After that, things get messy again. The pattern is a lot of small, wind-affected surf with cross-onshore winds and that light chop. There’s a bit of a blip on the afternoon of Thursday, August 20th, when the swell bumps up to 6 ft from the WNW, but it’s coming with a cross-onshore wind and a combined energy of 1028, which is strong. That’s a combo that’ll make it a bit of a washing machine out there. It’s probably more interesting for the kite surfers than for paddle surfing.

Then on the morning of Friday, August 21st, we see a 6 ft swell from the WNW, but with a short period of only 7 seconds. That’s windswell, and it’ll be pretty crumbly and messy. The wind is cross-shore, so it’s not completely hopeless, but it’s not the clean, lined-up wave we’d want. The energy is still strong (630). This is a spot that can be inconsistent, so don’t bank on it.

Overall, the best bet in this 16-day window is that Monday morning, August 17th. It’s not a standout by any stretch, but it’s the only time the stars align for a clean, small-wave session. For the rest of it, you’re mostly looking at small, crummy conditions, and a few days where the size is up but the wind is spoiling it. The crowds are often around here, so even on the small days, expect some company. A blank run like this is not unusual for the area, so don’t lose hope – forecasts can always change.

Rusty.

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