Tarantulas Reviews and Ratings
(Santa Barbara, USA)
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Visitor reviews of Tarantulas surf break
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“I lived here for 12 years. The left can be world class, the right longer but not as perfect compared to the left when it is at its best.
Quality on a good day: 4 - straight west 18 sec. swell, offshore, med tide.
Access: 4
Consistency: 4
Difficulty: 4
Water quality: 4-5 No creek mouth at T's, no issues other than visibility
Crowds: 3. Weekdays, dawn patrols, late pm glass offs. No crowd issues
Other options: 2
Scenery: 5
Equipment: 2 (park store has minimal board supplies
Windsurfing/Kite boarding: 5 (an international destination for experts)
Local Attitude: 4
Eating: 2 (ok breakfast & lunch grub at park store)
Regional rating: 4
Accommodations: 1 (camping only)
Drinking: 5 (park store)
Camping: 5
Onshore wind: 3 (if kelp is thick, rating higher)
Entertainment: 2”
Stanton Foster from UNITED STATES - 31 Aug 2010
Tarantulas Ratings
Overall: 3.0. Based on 4 votes and 2 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 4.0(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 3.8(1: Tarantulas is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 4.0(1: Tarantulas is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Santa Barbara. 5: the best break in Santa Barbara). |
Difficulty Level: 4.0(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 2.5(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Tarantulas can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 4.5(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Tarantulas, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 3.5(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Tarantulas are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 3.7(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 2.7(1: Often too crowded. 5: Tarantulas is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 3.7(1: Getting to Tarantulas requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 4.5(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 4.0(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 2.5(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Tarantulas for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 5.0(1: Camping at Tarantulas is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 3.5(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Tarantulas is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 2.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 3.0(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Tarantulas, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 3.0(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Tarantulas where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
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