Santa Barbara Surf Report & Forecast
Tuesday August 18th, 2026
First Light: 5:22 AM · Full Darkness: 8:42 PM
NOAA Tide Prediction for Santa Barbara
NOAA Buoy Observations
| Station Name | Time | Wave Height | Dominant Period | Direction | Water Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West California (46059) | 08/18 3:20am | 4.9 ft | 7 sec | 31° | 66.2 °F |
| Point Reyes (46214) | 08/18 3:26am | 6.2 ft | 6 sec | 328° | 59.9 °F |
| Monterey (46042) | 08/18 3:20am | 4.9 ft | 8 sec | 325° | 60.1 °F |
| Point Sur (46239) | 08/18 3:30am | 4.6 ft | 14 sec | 200° | 61.2 °F |
| Cape San Martin (46028) | 08/18 3:20am | 5.6 ft | 6 sec | 315° | 62.4 °F |
| Santa Maria (46011) | 08/18 3:20am | 4.9 ft | 14 sec | 208° | 64.9 °F |
| Santa Lucia (46259) | 08/18 3:26am | 5.9 ft | 14 sec | 203° | 67.6 °F |
| Harvest Buoy (46218) | 08/18 3:26am | 5.9 ft | 14 sec | 205° | 61.9 °F |
| West Santa Barbara (46054) | 08/18 3:20am | 6.2 ft | 6 sec | 318° | 65.8 °F |
| East Santa Barbara (46053) | 08/18 3:20am | 3 ft | 6 sec | 265° | 67.5 °F |
| S. Santa Rosa Island (46069) | 08/18 3:20am | 6.9 ft | 7 sec | 316° | 64.6 °F |
| San Nicolas Island (46219) | 08/18 3:26am | 7.5 ft | 7 sec | 312° | 68.5 °F |
| Santa Monica Basin (46025) | 08/18 3:20am | 3.6 ft | 14 sec | 184° | 71.8 °F |
| San Pedro (46222) | 08/18 3:26am | 3.6 ft | 6 sec | 273° | 71.1 °F |
| Tanner Bank (46047) | 08/18 3:20am | 6.2 ft | 7 sec | 319° | 66.9 °F |
Southern California Swell Model
NOAA Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast Surf Zone Forecast
Expires:202608182330;;927603
FZUS56 KLOX 180832
SRFLOX
Surf Zone Forecast
National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard
132 AM PDT Tue Aug 18 2026
CAZ349-350-182330-
Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast-
Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast-
132 AM PDT Tue Aug 18 2026
.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Water Temperature.............69 to 71 degrees.
Tides.........................High 3.4 feet (MLLW) 03:13 AM PDT.
Low 2.0 feet (MLLW) 08:23 AM PDT.
High 5.0 feet (MLLW) 03:19 PM PDT.
Low 1.4 feet (MLLW) 10:53 PM PDT.
Remarks.......................West swell.
.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Tides.........................High 2.9 feet (MLLW) 05:02 AM PDT.
Low 2.6 feet (MLLW) 08:43 AM PDT.
High 4.8 feet (MLLW) 04:13 PM PDT.
Low 1.2 feet (MLLW) 11:31 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:202608182215;;930473 FZUS56 KLOX 180954 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 254 AM PDT Tue Aug 18 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. PZZ650-182215- East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island- 254 AM PDT Tue Aug 18 2026 .TODAY...Western Portion, NW wind 10 to 20 kt becoming W this afternoon. Eastern Portion, Light winds becoming W 5 to 10 kt this afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .TONIGHT...Western Portion, W wind 15 to 25 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt after midnight. Eastern Portion, W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 7 seconds. .WED...W wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .WED NIGHT...Western Portion, W wind 15 to 20 kt becoming NW 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Eastern Portion, W wind 5 to 10 kt becoming light after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 7 seconds and W 2 ft at 10 seconds. .THU...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .THU NIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt, becoming N 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 7 seconds. .FRI...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 9 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...Western Portion, NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Eastern Portion, SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds. .SAT...Western Portion, NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Eastern Portion, W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .SAT NIGHT...Western Portion, NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Eastern Portion, W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Waters Forecast from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island and Westward 60 NM (PZ 673)
Expires:202608182215;;930471 FZUS56 KLOX 180954 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 254 AM PDT Tue Aug 18 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. PZZ673-182215- Waters from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island CA and westward 60 nm including San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands- 254 AM PDT Tue Aug 18 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... .TODAY...NW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog this morning. .TONIGHT...NW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 8 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog. .WED...NW wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 8 seconds and S 3 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .WED NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 8 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog. .THU...NW wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .THU NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog. .FRI...NW wind 15 to 25 kt, becoming 20 to 30 kt in the afternoon. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...NW wind 25 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 8 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .SAT...NW wind 25 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 8 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .SAT NIGHT...NW wind 25 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 8 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Outer Waters Forecast from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM Offshore (PZ 676)
Expires:202608182215;;930472 FZUS56 KLOX 180954 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 254 AM PDT Tue Aug 18 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. PZZ676-182215- Outer waters from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM offshore including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands- 254 AM PDT Tue Aug 18 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... .TODAY...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog this morning. .TONIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog. .WED...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .WED NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog. .THU...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .THU NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt, becoming 15 to 25 kt after midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog. .FRI...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .SAT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. .SAT NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Inner Waters Forecast from Pt. Mugu to San Mateo Pt. (PZ 655)
Expires:202608182215;;930474 FZUS56 KLOX 180954 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 254 AM PDT Tue Aug 18 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. PZZ655-182215- Inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands- 254 AM PDT Tue Aug 18 2026 .TODAY...NW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming W 10 to 20 kt this afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming W 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .WED...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds. .WED NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .THU...Light winds, becoming SW 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .THU NIGHT...SW 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 14 seconds. Patchy fog. .FRI...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 14 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 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .SAT...Light winds, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .SAT NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. $$ www.weather.gov/losangelesSource: NOAA
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