Surf Forecasts:
Refugio State Beach surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, WNW swell with 511 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Refugio State Beach in the next 16 days are 1.7m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) 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 1.0m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Refugio State Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Refugio State Beach.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty quiet for quality waves. The swell is mostly small, winds are cross-onshore or onshore, and the energy just isn’t there. The first real surf recommendation is actually for the morning of Monday, August 3rd, but even that’s just a marginal call with a NW swell of 5ft and a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (681), but the wind is straight onshore, making it a messy option. Not a standout.
The rest of the first week is a bit of a write-off. From Monday afternoon right through to the weekend, we’re looking at waves under 3ft, short periods, and mostly cross-onshore breezes. The water temp is a notable 69°F, which is 7°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual. But it doesn’t help the surf.
There’s a big gap with no real quality until we get towards the second week. The only thing that catches my eye is the afternoon of Monday, August 17th. That’s over two weeks away, so it’s a long-range call, but it’s the best offer in the whole outlook. The swell jumps to 7ft from the WNW, but with a short period of just 6 seconds, it’s going to be a bit crumbly and weak. The wind swings light cross-shore, which is a positive, and the combined energy is moderate (454). The break is a beach and point, but with that short period, the point might offer a better shape than the beach. It’s still only a marginal forecast, but it’s the one to watch.
For a spot that’s “fairly consistent”, this is a real flat spell. You’ll be waiting a long time for anything rideable, and even then, it’s nothing to get excited about.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 227 | 248 | 376 | 201 | 214 | 119 | 135 | 97 | 71 | 70 | 96 | 87 | 84 | 84 | 212 | 207 | 270 | 267 | 226 | 288 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 00:36AM1.63m | 1:41PM1.79m | 1:32AM1.43m | 2:20PM1.85m | 2:57AM1.26m | 3:08PM1.92m | 5:11AM1.17m | 4:10PM1.99m | 7:19AM1.23m | 5:19PM2.09m | 8:23AM1.34m | 6:25PM2.20m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:58PM0.96m | 6:59AM0.64m | 8:03PM0.91m | 7:25AM0.79m | 9:25PM0.82m | 7:56AM0.94m | 10:56PM0.69m | 8:40AM1.08m | 00:17AM0.50m | 10:01AM1.18m | 1:20AM0.30m | 11:40AM1.21m | 2:12AM0.13m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — |
 | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 23 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 24 | 26 | 29 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 24 | 28 | 30 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 24 |
Feels °C | 28 | 23 | 28 | 27 | 23 | 27 | 28 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 23 | 27 | 28 | 23 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 4 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 45 | 67 | 197 | 65 | 58 | 79 | 38 | 97 | 71 | 70 | 96 | 9 | 84 | 84 | 212 | 207 | 270 | 267 | 226 | 288 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 15 | S 11 | SSW 13 | SW 11 | S 12 | SW 13 | SSW 20 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 4 | SW 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 48 | 25 | 67 | 66 | 65 | 36 | 56 | 9 | 32 | 19 | 11 | 87 | 39 | 82 | 83 | 82 | 10 | 36 | 34 | 38 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 13 | SSW 11 | S 12 | SSW 20 | WNW 7 | S 12 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 13 | WNW 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 49 | 48 | 41 | 21 | 21 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 37 | 5 | 11 | 7 | 24 | 24 | 80 | 11 | 56 | 83 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 4 | WNW 8 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | — | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 227 | 248 | 376 | 201 | 214 | 119 | 135 | 31 | 70 | 29 | 29 | 22 | 22 | 14 | — | 47 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 0 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 33 | 131 | 0 | 33 | 22 | 0 | 33 | 22 | 0 | 24 | 22 | 8 |
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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