Tarpits surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 am Wednesday 17 Dec 2025 PST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Tarpits surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Tarpits sea temperature is
17.0° C
(Which is 2.5°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tarpits this week:

The surf forecast for Tarpits over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Tarpits in the next 12 days are 1.1m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Wed 17th Dec)3ft (0.9m) 12s
Best Surf 4PM (Wed 17th Dec)3ft (0.9m) 12s
Most Powerful 1AM (Thu 18th Dec)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tarpits over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
W
0.9
W
1.1
W
1.1
W
1
W
0.6
W
0.9
W
1.5
W
0.8
W
0.5
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.7
W
0.7
W
0.7
W
0.7
W
0.7
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.5
W
0.2
SSW
Period(s) (?)121212121211966710121111111010109915
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)43022933933325987119149472271701181161121029466404021
Wind
(km/h)
0
N
5
NE
15
N
5
NNW
5
N
5
N
5
W
5
WSW
5
N
5
SSW
5
WSW
0
NNW
0
SSW
5
WSW
5
N
5
ENE
5
WSW
5
NNE
15
SE
15
SE
25
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glassoffcross-
off
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
glassglasscross-
off
glassonglassglassglassglassglassglassglasscrosscrosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:16PM
1.46
7:38AM
2.19
9:53PM
1.47
8:12AM
2.22
10:31PM
1.47
8:46AM
2.23
11:09PM
1.46
9:20AM
2.21
11:49PM
1.45
9:54AM
2.16
12:29AM
1.46
10:28AM
2.07
1:09AM
1.50
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:34PM
0.26
1:20AM
1.18
3:08PM
0.20
1:54AM
1.19
3:44PM
0.17
2:27AM
1.20
4:20PM
0.17
3:00AM
1.21
4:56PM
0.19
3:36AM
1.23
5:31PM
0.24
4:16AM
1.26
6:05PM
0.31
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Sunrise6:58--6:58--6:58--6:58--7:00--7:00--7:01--
Sunset-4:50--4:50--4:50--4:51--4:51--4:52--4:52-
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
Rain (mm)
-------------------111
Temp. °C242219262521242218222019201918201919181717
Feels °C (?)232117232218222116201919201918202019161614
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Tarpits Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Tarpits provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Tarpits can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tarpits 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 (Tarpits) 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 Tarpits 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.

Tarpits is 16 km (10 miles) from the city of Santa Ana. If you plan a vacation in Santa Barbara, look for hotels and other accommodation in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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