Santa Barbara Surf Report & Forecast
Wednesday May 20th, 2026
First Light: 4:48 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) | 05/20 3:10pm | 8.2 ft | 11 sec | 320° | -- |
| Point Reyes (46214) | 05/20 3:26pm | 10.5 ft | 13 sec | 298° | 52 °F |
| Monterey (46042) | 05/20 3:20pm | 7.9 ft | 13 sec | 291° | -- |
| Point Sur (46239) | 05/20 3:30pm | 7.5 ft | 13 sec | 313° | 51.6 °F |
| Cape San Martin (46028) | 05/20 2:50pm | 8.5 ft | 10 sec | 316° | 59 °F |
| Santa Maria (46011) | 05/20 3:20pm | 6.9 ft | 13 sec | 303° | 56.8 °F |
| Santa Lucia (46259) | 05/20 3:26pm | 8.2 ft | 13 sec | 288° | 59 °F |
| Harvest Buoy (46218) | 05/20 3:26pm | 6.9 ft | 13 sec | 288° | 59.4 °F |
| West Santa Barbara (46054) | 05/20 3:10pm | 7.2 ft | 11 sec | 300° | -- |
| East Santa Barbara (46053) | 05/20 3:10pm | 3 ft | 13 sec | 277° | -- |
| S. Santa Rosa Island (46069) | 05/20 3:10pm | 6.6 ft | 13 sec | 269° | -- |
| San Nicolas Island (46219) | 05/20 3:26pm | 6.9 ft | 13 sec | 278° | 59.9 °F |
| Santa Monica Basin (46025) | 05/20 3:10pm | 3.3 ft | 14 sec | 174° | -- |
| San Pedro (46222) | 05/20 3:26pm | 2.6 ft | 13 sec | 170° | 65.3 °F |
| Tanner Bank (46047) | 05/20 3:10pm | 5.9 ft | 13 sec | 276° | -- |
Southern California Swell Model
NOAA Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast Surf Zone Forecast
Expires:202605211045;;362923
FZUS56 KLOX 202003
SRFLOX
Surf Zone Forecast
National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard
103 PM PDT Wed May 20 2026
CAZ349-350-211045-
Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast-
Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast-
103 PM PDT Wed May 20 2026
.THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Water Temperature.............Around 56 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:202605210845;;364867 FZUS56 KLOX 202052 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 145 PM PDT Wed May 20 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... PZZ650-210845- East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island- 105 PM PDT Wed May 20 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... .TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Gusts to 25 kt in the westrn portion this evening. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 7 seconds and W 3 ft at 10 seconds. .THU...SW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming W 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 7 seconds and W 3 ft at 10 seconds. .THU NIGHT...Western Portion, W wind 10 to 20 kt. Eastern Portion, W wind 10 to 15 kt becoming 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 7 seconds. .FRI...SW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming 5 to 10 kt after midnight. 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 5 to 10 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 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 7 seconds. .SUN...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 5 seconds. .SUN NIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 5 seconds. .MON...NW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 6 seconds. .MON NIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 6 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Waters Forecast from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island and Westward 60 NM (PZ 673)
Expires:202605210845;;364865 FZUS56 KLOX 202052 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 145 PM PDT Wed May 20 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... PZZ673-210845- Waters from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island CA and westward 60 nm including San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands- 145 PM PDT Wed May 20 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... .TONIGHT...NW wind 15 to 20 kt. Gusts to 25 kt this evening. Seas 7 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 7 seconds, NW 7 ft at 12 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy dense fog with vsby 1 nm or less. .THU...NW wind 10 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 with vsby 1 nm or less. .THU NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 6 seconds, NW 7 ft at 11 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy fog. .FRI...NW wind 10 to 20 kt, becoming 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 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 5 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 10 seconds and S 3 ft at 16 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .SAT...Light winds. 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...W wind 5 to 10 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 4 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 9 seconds and S 3 ft at 15 seconds. .SUN...Light winds, becoming NW 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. .SUN NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 6 seconds, NW 4 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. .MON...NW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 6 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 7 seconds, NW 3 ft at 15 seconds and S 3 ft at 16 seconds. .MON NIGHT...NW wind 15 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:202605210845;;364866 FZUS56 KLOX 202052 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 145 PM PDT Wed May 20 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... PZZ676-210845- Outer waters from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM offshore including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands- 145 PM PDT Wed May 20 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... .TONIGHT...NW wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming W 10 to 20 kt after midnight. Gusts to 25 kt in the evening. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 6 seconds, NW 6 ft at 12 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy dense fog with vsby 1 nm or less. .THU...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 6 seconds, NW 6 ft at 12 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy dense fog with vsby 1 nm or less. .THU NIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 7 seconds, NW 5 ft at 11 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .FRI...W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 7 seconds, NW 5 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 4 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 5 seconds, NW 4 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .SAT...Light winds, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SAT NIGHT...W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 5 seconds, NW 3 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. .SUN...Light winds, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. .SUN NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 6 seconds, NW 3 ft at 13 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 2 ft at 15 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds. .MON NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 7 seconds, NW 2 ft at 14 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Inner Waters Forecast from Pt. Mugu to San Mateo Pt. (PZ 655)
Expires:202605210845;;364868 FZUS56 KLOX 202052 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 145 PM PDT Wed May 20 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... PZZ655-210845- Inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands- 105 PM PDT Wed May 20 2026 .TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming SW 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 5 seconds, W 2 ft at 13 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .THU...Light winds, becoming SW 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .THU NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming SW 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .FRI...SW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 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 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 6 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SAT NIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt, becoming 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 5 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. .SUN...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 5 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. .SUN NIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 6 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds. .MON...W wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 6 seconds and S 2 ft at 17 seconds. .MON NIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 6 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds. $$ Lewis www.weather.gov/losangelesSource: NOAA
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