Santa Barbara Surf Report & Forecast
Thursday May 21st, 2026
First Light: 4:47 AM · Full Darkness: 9:02 PM
NOAA Tide Prediction for Santa Barbara
NOAA Buoy Observations
| Station Name | Time | Wave Height | Dominant Period | Direction | Water Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West California (46059) | 05/21 7:50am | 9.8 ft | 9 sec | 33° | 59.5 °F |
| Point Reyes (46214) | 05/21 7:56am | 10.5 ft | 10 sec | 320° | 51.4 °F |
| Monterey (46042) | 05/21 7:50am | 8.5 ft | 12 sec | 301° | 52.5 °F |
| Point Sur (46239) | 05/21 8:00am | 8.2 ft | 12 sec | 308° | 50.5 °F |
| Cape San Martin (46028) | 05/21 7:50am | 7.2 ft | 11 sec | 290° | 58.6 °F |
| Santa Maria (46011) | 05/21 7:50am | 5.9 ft | 9 sec | 318° | 55.2 °F |
| Santa Lucia (46259) | 05/21 7:56am | 7.2 ft | 13 sec | 302° | 58.6 °F |
| Harvest Buoy (46218) | 05/21 7:56am | 5.9 ft | 12 sec | 292° | 57.4 °F |
| West Santa Barbara (46054) | 05/21 7:50am | 6.9 ft | 13 sec | 279° | 54.9 °F |
| East Santa Barbara (46053) | 05/21 7:50am | 3.6 ft | 11 sec | 265° | 56.7 °F |
| S. Santa Rosa Island (46069) | 05/21 7:50am | 6.9 ft | 12 sec | 283° | 56.8 °F |
| San Nicolas Island (46219) | 05/21 7:56am | 7.5 ft | 13 sec | 286° | 58.3 °F |
| Santa Monica Basin (46025) | 05/21 7:50am | 3.6 ft | 14 sec | 233° | 63.1 °F |
| San Pedro (46222) | 05/21 7:56am | 3.6 ft | 12 sec | 215° | 63.5 °F |
| Tanner Bank (46047) | 05/21 7:50am | 6.2 ft | 13 sec | 315° | 62.8 °F |
Southern California Swell Model
NOAA Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast Surf Zone Forecast
Expires:202605220000;;390211
FZUS56 KLOX 210802
SRFLOX
Surf Zone Forecast
National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard
102 AM PDT Thu May 21 2026
CAZ349-350-220000-
Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast-
Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast-
102 AM PDT Thu May 21 2026
.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Water Temperature.............Around 58 degrees.
Tides.........................High 5.6 feet (MLLW) 02:01 AM PDT.
Low -0.8 feet (MLLW) 09:45 AM PDT.
High 3.7 feet (MLLW) 04:58 PM PDT.
Low 2.8 feet (MLLW) 09:16 PM PDT.
Remarks.......................West swell.
.FRIDAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Tides.........................High 5.0 feet (MLLW) 03:10 AM PDT.
Low -0.4 feet (MLLW) 10:46 AM PDT.
High 4.0 feet (MLLW) 05:57 PM PDT.
Low 2.5 feet (MLLW) 11:06 PM PDT.
Remarks.......................West swell.
&&
Rip Current Risks:
* Low Risk - Life threatening rip currents are unlikely but still could occur.
* Moderate Risk - Life threatening rip currents are possible.
* High Risk - Life threatening rip currents are likely.
$$
Source: NOAA
East Santa Barbara Channel Coastal Waters Forecast (PZ 650)
Expires:202605220330;;403994 FZUS56 KLOX 211433 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 733 AM PDT Thu May 21 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary ...See weather.gov/marine/wavedetail for more info on the new Wave Detail format... PZZ650-220330- East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island- 733 AM PDT Thu May 21 2026 .TODAY...Western portion, W wind 10 to 15 kt. Local gusts to 20 kt in the afternoon. Eastern portion, light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt this afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 7 seconds and W 3 ft at 10 seconds. Patchy fog this morning. .TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt this evening, becoming W to SW 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .FRI...Light winds, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...W wind 5 to 10 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 6 seconds and W 2 ft at 9 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .SAT...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 7 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SAT NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 5 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .SUN...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SUN NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 5 seconds. .MON...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 6 seconds. .MON NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 6 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Waters Forecast from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island and Westward 60 NM (PZ 673)
Expires:202605220330;;403992 FZUS56 KLOX 211433 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 733 AM PDT Thu May 21 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary ...See weather.gov/marine/wavedetail for more info on the new Wave Detail format... PZZ673-220330- Waters from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island CA and westward 60 nm including San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands- 733 AM PDT Thu May 21 2026 .TODAY...NW wind 10 to 15 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 6 seconds, NW 7 ft at 12 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy dense fog this morning, then patchy fog this afternoon. Vsby 1 NM or less this morning. .TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 5 seconds, NW 7 ft at 11 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy fog. .FRI...NW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 5 seconds, NW 6 ft at 10 seconds and S 3 ft at 17 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 10 seconds and S 3 ft at 16 seconds. Patchy fog. .SAT...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 10 seconds and S 3 ft at 16 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SAT NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 4 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 5 seconds, NW 4 ft at 9 seconds and S 3 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog. .SUN...Light winds, becoming NW 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SUN NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 5 seconds, NW 4 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. .MON...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 6 seconds, NW 3 ft at 15 seconds and S 3 ft at 17 seconds. .MON NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 7 seconds, NW 4 ft at 13 seconds and S 3 ft at 16 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Outer Waters Forecast from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM Offshore (PZ 676)
Expires:202605220330;;403993 FZUS56 KLOX 211433 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 733 AM PDT Thu May 21 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary ...See weather.gov/marine/wavedetail for more info on the new Wave Detail format... PZZ676-220330- Outer waters from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM offshore including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands- 733 AM PDT Thu May 21 2026 .TODAY...NW wind 10 to 5 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 7 seconds, NW 6 ft at 12 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy dense fog this morning with vsby 1 NM or less. .TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 5 kt with gusts to 20 kt. . Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 6 seconds, NW 5 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy fog. .FRI...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 6 seconds, NW 5 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 4 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 6 seconds, NW 4 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog. .SAT...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 6 seconds, NW 4 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SAT NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 5 seconds, NW 2 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog. .SUN...Light winds, becoming NW 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 5 seconds, NW 3 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SUN NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 6 seconds, NW 3 ft at 15 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds. .MON...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 6 seconds, NW 2 ft at 15 seconds and S 2 ft at 17 seconds. .MON NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 7 seconds, NW 2 ft at 14 seconds and S 3 ft at 16 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Inner Waters Forecast from Pt. Mugu to San Mateo Pt. (PZ 655)
Expires:202605220330;;403995 FZUS56 KLOX 211433 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 733 AM PDT Thu May 21 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary ...See weather.gov/marine/wavedetail for more info on the new Wave Detail format... PZZ655-220330- Inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands- 733 AM PDT Thu May 21 2026 .TODAY...S to SE wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming W 10 to 15 kt this afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog this morning. .TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog. .FRI...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 6 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy fog. .SAT...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 6 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SAT NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 5 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog. .SUN...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 6 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SUN NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 5 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds. .MON...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 6 seconds and S 2 ft at 17 seconds. .MON NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 6 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds. $$ www.weather.gov/losangelesSource: NOAA
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