Tarpits surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Tuesday 10 Mar 2026 PDT
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
14.8° C
(Which is 1.0°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 (Mar 11) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 21s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Tarpits in the next 12 days are 0.6m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Friday (Mar 13) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Wed 11th Mar)2ft (0.6m) 11s
Best Surf11AM (Wed 11th Mar)1.5ft (0.5m) 20s
Most Powerful 2AM (Mon 16th Mar)2ft (0.6m) 18s

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 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
2
0
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.3
SSW
0.6
W
0.5
S
0.5
S
0.5
S
0.5
S
0.5
S
0.5
SSW
0.5
S
0.5
S
0.4
SSW
0.7
W
0.3
SSW
0.3
SSW
0.4
SSW
0.4
SSW
0.6
SSW
0.5
SSW
0.6
SSW
0.5
SSW
0.6
SSW
Period(s) (?)22112019191818171616149222020201818171616
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)919019619217815815615712912770879180154128260178237149201
Wind
(km/h)
5
SSW
5
NNE
5
WSW
10
WNW
15
N
5
WNW
10
WNW
15
N
5
WSW
5
WSW
5
N
5
WSW
5
WSW
5
NNE
5
SW
10
WSW
5
N
10
WSW
10
W
5
NNW
5
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glassoffglasscross-
on
cross-
off
glasscrosscross-
off
glasscross-
on
glassglasscross-
on
offoncross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:18AM
1.72
4:55AM
1.73
8:47PM
1.46
6:07AM
1.81
8:51PM
1.52
6:58AM
1.91
9:01PM
1.58
7:41AM
2.00
9:15PM
1.67
8:21AM
2.06
9:33PM
1.77
9:01AM
2.08
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:18PM
0.66
1:11PM
0.55
12:14AM
1.36
1:48PM
0.45
1:07AM
1.26
2:18PM
0.37
1:46AM
1.13
2:45PM
0.32
2:24AM
0.99
3:11PM
0.31
3:01AM
0.83
Tue
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Sunrise--7:13--7:13--7:11--7:09--7:09--7:07--7:05
Sunset7:00--7:01--7:02--7:02--7:04--7:05--7:06--
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C181620231927292227272123241923242225262326
Feels °C (?)171619211525252024242021221822232123242125
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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