Santa Barbara Surf Report & Forecast
Thursday March 12th, 2026
First Light: 6:17 AM · Full Darkness: 7:59 PM
NOAA Tide Prediction for Santa Barbara
NOAA Buoy Observations
| Station Name | Time | Wave Height | Dominant Period | Direction | Water Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West California (46059) | 03/12 10:20am | 7.2 ft | 12 sec | 326° | 56.5 °F |
| Point Reyes (46214) | 03/12 10:26am | 8.9 ft | 13 sec | 315° | 52.3 °F |
| Point Sur (46239) | 03/12 10:30am | 9.8 ft | 13 sec | 315° | 55.4 °F |
| Cape San Martin (46028) | 03/12 10:20am | 7.2 ft | 13 sec | 312° | -- |
| Santa Maria (46011) | 03/12 10:20am | 6.2 ft | 17 sec | 193° | -- |
| Santa Lucia (46259) | 03/12 10:56am | 8.2 ft | 13 sec | 316° | 58.8 °F |
| Harvest Buoy (46218) | 03/12 10:26am | 7.9 ft | 18 sec | 182° | 57.7 °F |
| West Santa Barbara (46054) | 03/12 10:50am | 6.9 ft | 17 sec | 211° | 57.2 °F |
| East Santa Barbara (46053) | 03/12 10:50am | 3 ft | 13 sec | 260° | -- |
| S. Santa Rosa Island (46069) | 03/12 10:50am | 5.9 ft | 17 sec | 177° | 58.5 °F |
| San Nicolas Island (46219) | 03/12 10:26am | 5.9 ft | 18 sec | 177° | 60.1 °F |
| Santa Monica Basin (46025) | 03/12 10:40am | 2.6 ft | 17 sec | 177° | 62.1 °F |
| San Pedro (46222) | 03/12 10:26am | 2.3 ft | 18 sec | 192° | 60.8 °F |
| Tanner Bank (46047) | 03/12 10:20am | 7.5 ft | 17 sec | 188° | 60.4 °F |
Southern California Swell Model
NOAA Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast Surf Zone Forecast
Expires:202603122315;;532808
FZUS56 KLOX 120842
SRFLOX
Surf Zone Forecast
National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard
142 AM PDT Thu Mar 12 2026
CAZ349-350-122315-
Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast-
Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast-
142 AM PDT Thu Mar 12 2026
.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Water Temperature.............59 to 60 degrees.
Tides.........................High 4.2 feet (MLLW) 06:05 AM PDT.
Low 0.2 feet (MLLW) 02:15 PM PDT.
High 3.2 feet (MLLW) 09:52 PM PDT.
Remarks.......................West swell.
.FRIDAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Tides.........................Low 2.9 feet (MLLW) 01:16 AM PDT.
High 4.4 feet (MLLW) 07:15 AM PDT.
Low -0.1 feet (MLLW) 02:53 PM PDT.
High 3.4 feet (MLLW) 09:53 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.
$$
Source: NOAA
East Santa Barbara Channel Coastal Waters Forecast (PZ 650)
Expires:202603130400;;548119 FZUS56 KLOX 121511 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 811 AM PDT Thu Mar 12 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary ...See weather.gov/marine/wavedetail for more info on the new Wave Detail format... PZZ650-130400- East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island- 811 AM PDT Thu Mar 12 2026 .TODAY...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt this afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds. .TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .FRI...NW wind 5 to 10 kt in the morning, becoming light. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .FRI NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming NW 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .SAT...Light winds, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .SAT NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt, becoming NE 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .SUN...W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 9 seconds. .SUN NIGHT...Light winds, becoming E 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds. .MON...Light winds. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds. .MON NIGHT...Light winds. Seas 2 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Waters Forecast from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island and Westward 60 NM (PZ 673)
Expires:202603130400;;548117 FZUS56 KLOX 121511 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 811 AM PDT Thu Mar 12 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... PZZ673-130400- Waters from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island CA and westward 60 nm including San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands- 811 AM PDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT... .TODAY...N wind 10 to 20 kt with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: N 3 ft at 9 seconds, NW 7 ft at 12 seconds and S 3 ft at 18 seconds. .TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 7 seconds, NW 8 ft at 11 seconds and S 2 ft at 17 seconds. .FRI...NW wind 10 to 20 kt with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 10 seconds and S 3 ft at 16 seconds. .FRI NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: NW 9 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .SAT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: NW 10 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SAT NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt, becoming N 20 to 25 kt after midnight. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: NW 9 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .SUN...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: NW 9 ft at 9 seconds and S 3 ft at 13 seconds. .SUN NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming N 10 to 20 kt after midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 9 seconds and S 3 ft at 13 seconds. .MON...NE wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming N 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 9 seconds and S 3 ft at 17 seconds. .MON NIGHT...NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 9 seconds and S 3 ft at 17 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Outer Waters Forecast from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM Offshore (PZ 676)
Expires:202603130400;;548118 FZUS56 KLOX 121511 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 811 AM PDT Thu Mar 12 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... PZZ676-130400- Outer waters from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM offshore including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands- 811 AM PDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT... .TODAY...N wind 10 to 20 kt early, becoming NW 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 11 seconds and S 2 ft at 18 seconds. .TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Gusts to 25 kt late, focused NW of San Nicolas Island. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 17 seconds. .FRI...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 8 seconds, NW 4 ft at 9 seconds and S 3 ft at 16 seconds. .FRI NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .SAT...N wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds, NW 4 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SAT NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt, becoming N after midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .SUN...NE wind 15 to 25 kt, becoming NW 15 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 9 seconds and S 3 ft at 13 seconds. .SUN NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming SW after midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 9 seconds and S 3 ft at 16 seconds. .MON...E wind 5 to 10 kt in the morning, becoming light. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 9 seconds and S 3 ft at 17 seconds. .MON NIGHT...Light winds. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 9 seconds and S 3 ft at 17 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Inner Waters Forecast from Pt. Mugu to San Mateo Pt. (PZ 655)
Expires:202603130400;;548120 FZUS56 KLOX 121511 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 811 AM PDT Thu Mar 12 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... PZZ655-130400- Inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands- 811 AM PDT Thu Mar 12 2026 .TODAY...NW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming 10 to 15 kt this afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 18 seconds. .TONIGHT...Malibu to Santa Monica, NW wind 10 to 20 kt becoming N after midnight. Otherwise, W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming N 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 3 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 5 seconds, W 2 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 17 seconds. .FRI...Light winds. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds. .FRI NIGHT...W wind 5 to 10 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .SAT...Light winds. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SAT NIGHT...S wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming E after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .SUN...Light winds, becoming SW 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. .SUN NIGHT...W wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming SE after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .MON...Light winds, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 17 seconds. .MON NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 17 seconds. $$ www.weather.gov/losangelesSource: NOAA
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