Santa Barbara Surf Report & Forecast
Thursday August 20th, 2026
First Light: 5:24 AM · Full Darkness: 8:39 PM
NOAA Tide Prediction for Santa Barbara
NOAA Buoy Observations
| Station Name | Time | Wave Height | Dominant Period | Direction | Water Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West California (46059) | 08/20 2:50am | 5.6 ft | 7 sec | 19° | 66.2 °F |
| Point Reyes (46214) | 08/20 2:56am | 5.9 ft | 12 sec | 291° | 60.6 °F |
| Monterey (46042) | 08/20 2:50am | 4.9 ft | 7 sec | 321° | 59.7 °F |
| Point Sur (46239) | 08/20 2:30am | 5.2 ft | 8 sec | 320° | 61.9 °F |
| Cape San Martin (46028) | 08/20 2:50am | 6.2 ft | 8 sec | 334° | 60.4 °F |
| Santa Maria (46011) | 08/20 2:20am | 5.2 ft | 14 sec | 189° | 62.6 °F |
| Santa Lucia (46259) | 08/20 2:56am | 6.2 ft | 9 sec | 334° | 65.5 °F |
| Harvest Buoy (46218) | 08/20 2:56am | 5.2 ft | 13 sec | 209° | 60.4 °F |
| West Santa Barbara (46054) | 08/20 2:50am | 5.9 ft | 6 sec | 304° | 62.4 °F |
| East Santa Barbara (46053) | 08/20 2:50am | 3.9 ft | 6 sec | 271° | 69.8 °F |
| S. Santa Rosa Island (46069) | 08/20 2:50am | 5.9 ft | 7 sec | 312° | 65.7 °F |
| San Nicolas Island (46219) | 08/20 2:56am | 6.6 ft | 7 sec | 312° | 67.5 °F |
| Santa Monica Basin (46025) | 08/20 2:50am | 3.3 ft | 15 sec | 212° | 72.5 °F |
| San Pedro (46222) | 08/20 2:56am | 4.3 ft | 7 sec | 263° | 71.2 °F |
| Tanner Bank (46047) | 08/20 2:50am | 6.2 ft | 7 sec | 313° | 68.5 °F |
Southern California Swell Model
NOAA Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast Surf Zone Forecast
Expires:202608202330;;039736
FZUS56 KLOX 200833
SRFLOX
Surf Zone Forecast
National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard
133 AM PDT Thu Aug 20 2026
CAZ349-350-202330-
Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast-
Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast-
133 AM PDT Thu Aug 20 2026
.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Water Temperature.............Around 70 degrees.
Tides.........................High 4.8 feet (MLLW) 05:24 PM PDT.
Remarks.......................West swell.
.FRIDAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Tides.........................Low 0.9 feet (MLLW) 01:44 AM PDT.
High 4.9 feet (MLLW) 06:37 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.
$$
Source: NOAA
East Santa Barbara Channel Coastal Waters Forecast (PZ 650)
Expires:202608202145;;040939 FZUS56 KLOX 200903 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 203 AM PDT Thu Aug 20 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. PZZ650-202145- East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island- 203 AM PDT Thu Aug 20 2026 .TODAY...SE wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming SW 10 to 15 kt this afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt, becoming S 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 6 seconds and W 2 ft at 10 seconds. .FRI...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 6 seconds and W 3 ft at 9 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...Western Portion, NW wind 15 to 25 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt after midnight. Eastern Portion, W wind 5 to 10 kt becoming light after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds. .SAT...NW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .SAT NIGHT...Western Portion, NW wind 15 to 20 kt. Eastern Portion, W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 7 seconds. .SUN...Western Portion, NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Eastern Portion, W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 8 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SUN NIGHT...Western Portion, NW wind 15 to 20 kt. Eastern Portion, W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 7 seconds. .MON...Western Portion, NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Eastern Portion, W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 7 seconds. .MON NIGHT...W wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 7 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Waters Forecast from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island and Westward 60 NM (PZ 673)
Expires:202608202145;;040937 FZUS56 KLOX 200903 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 203 AM PDT Thu Aug 20 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. PZZ673-202145- Waters from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island CA and westward 60 nm including San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands- 203 AM PDT Thu Aug 20 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM PDT EARLY THIS MORNING... .TODAY...NW wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 8 seconds, NW 2 ft at 12 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog this morning. .TONIGHT...NW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 7 seconds, NW 2 ft at 12 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog. .FRI...NW wind 15 to 25 kt, becoming 20 to 25 kt in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 8 seconds, NW 2 ft at 11 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...NW wind 25 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy fog. .SAT...NW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SAT NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 25 kt with gusts to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 8 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog. .SUN...NW wind 20 to 25 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. .SUN NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .MON...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .MON NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Outer Waters Forecast from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM Offshore (PZ 676)
Expires:202608202145;;040938 FZUS56 KLOX 200903 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 203 AM PDT Thu Aug 20 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. PZZ676-202145- Outer waters from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM offshore including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands- 203 AM PDT Thu Aug 20 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM PDT EARLY THIS MORNING... .TODAY...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog this morning. .TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 7 seconds, W 2 ft at 12 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog. .FRI...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .FRI NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy fog. .SAT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 8 seconds, W 3 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SAT NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight. .SUN...NW wind 15 to 25 kt, becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SUN NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .MON...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .MON NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Inner Waters Forecast from Pt. Mugu to San Mateo Pt. (PZ 655)
Expires:202608202145;;040940 FZUS56 KLOX 200903 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 203 AM PDT Thu Aug 20 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. PZZ655-202145- Inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands- 203 AM PDT Thu Aug 20 2026 .TODAY...Light winds, becoming SW 5 to 10 kt this afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog this morning. .TONIGHT...W wind 5 to 10 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog. .FRI...Light winds, becoming W 5 to 10 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 5 to 10 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy fog. .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 and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SAT NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. .SUN...Light winds, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. .SUN NIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming 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. .MON...NW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .MON NIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. $$ www.weather.gov/losangelesSource: NOAA
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