Tarpits surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 am Thursday 25 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
16.8° C
(Which is 2.6°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 Friday (Dec 26) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Tarpits in the next 12 days are 2.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 26) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 30) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Fri 26th Dec)6ft (1.8m) 10s
Best Surf 7AM (Sat 27th Dec)5ft (1.5m) 13s
Most Powerful10PM (Fri 26th Dec)6.5ft (2.0m) 14s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 47mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
1
3
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
SSW
1.7
SW
1.9
SW
1.9
WSW
1.7
W
1.9
W
1.5
WNW
1
W
0.9
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.4
W
0.3
W
0.2
W
0.1
SW
0.1
W
0.2
W
0.3
WNW
0.4
WNW
0.5
W
0.5
W
Period(s) (?)811101211141211109987713131414131212
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)188635638905720136863922915356362097741639587872
Wind
(km/h)
25
SSE
20
S
20
S
5
SW
15
W
10
NW
15
WNW
10
WNW
10
NNE
5
N
5
NW
10
NNE
5
ENE
10
WNW
10
NNE
5
S
5
NNW
5
NE
5
E
0
N
5
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
glassglasscross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
glasscross-
off
offglassglasscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:52AM
1.77
2:25AM
1.65
12:54PM
1.58
3:04AM
1.77
2:26PM
1.39
3:45AM
1.91
4:20PM
1.30
4:30AM
2.06
6:02PM
1.31
5:17AM
2.22
7:20PM
1.38
6:06AM
2.36
8:20PM
1.46
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:14PM
0.50
7:49AM
1.22
7:51PM
0.63
9:27AM
1.06
8:35PM
0.77
10:51AM
0.83
9:26PM
0.90
11:56AM
0.55
10:25PM
1.01
12:51PM
0.29
11:26PM
1.08
1:41PM
0.07
12:25AM
1.11
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Sunrise7:01--7:01--7:01--7:03--7:03--7:03--7:03--
Sunset-4:52--4:53--4:54--4:54--4:55--4:57--4:57-
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
light rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
Rain (mm)
816212----------------1
Temp. °C161616151412151512171614211917232219232220
Feels °C (?)1314141411911129151411171614212015212017
  • 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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