Santa Barbara Surf Report & Forecast
Friday March 20th, 2026
First Light: 6:06 AM · Full Darkness: 8:06 PM
NOAA Tide Prediction for Santa Barbara
NOAA Buoy Observations
| Station Name | Time | Wave Height | Dominant Period | Direction | Water Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West California (46059) | 03/20 10:50am | 6.6 ft | 11 sec | 321° | 58.5 °F |
| Point Reyes (46214) | 03/20 10:56am | 6.9 ft | 12 sec | 304° | 54.3 °F |
| Point Sur (46239) | 03/20 11:00am | 5.6 ft | 13 sec | 299° | 57 °F |
| Cape San Martin (46028) | 03/20 10:50am | 5.6 ft | 12 sec | 300° | -- |
| Santa Maria (46011) | 03/20 10:50am | 4.3 ft | 12 sec | 307° | 60.8 °F |
| Santa Lucia (46259) | 03/20 10:26am | 4.9 ft | 13 sec | 299° | 59.7 °F |
| Harvest Buoy (46218) | 03/20 10:56am | 4.6 ft | 13 sec | 290° | 60.6 °F |
| West Santa Barbara (46054) | 03/20 10:50am | 3.6 ft | 13 sec | 281° | 59.7 °F |
| East Santa Barbara (46053) | 03/20 10:50am | 2.3 ft | 11 sec | 273° | 64 °F |
| S. Santa Rosa Island (46069) | 03/20 10:50am | 3.6 ft | 16 sec | 203° | 60.4 °F |
| San Nicolas Island (46219) | 03/20 10:56am | 3.9 ft | 12 sec | 224° | 62.1 °F |
| Santa Monica Basin (46025) | 03/20 10:50am | 2.6 ft | 13 sec | 203° | 64.6 °F |
| San Pedro (46222) | 03/20 10:56am | 1.6 ft | 10 sec | 257° | 66.6 °F |
| Tanner Bank (46047) | 03/20 10:50am | 3.6 ft | 11 sec | 248° | 62.8 °F |
Southern California Swell Model
NOAA Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast Surf Zone Forecast
Expires:202603210015;;997404
FZUS56 KLOX 200908
SRFLOX
Surf Zone Forecast
National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard
208 AM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026
CAZ349-350-210015-
Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast-
Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast-
208 AM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026
.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Water Temperature.............63 to 65 degrees.
Tides.........................Low -0.1 feet (MLLW) 06:10 AM PDT.
High 4.3 feet (MLLW) 12:16 PM PDT.
Low 0.6 feet (MLLW) 06:01 PM PDT.
High 5.5 feet (MLLW) 11:17 PM PDT.
Remarks.......................West swell.
.SATURDAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Tides.........................Low -0.2 feet (MLLW) 07:00 AM PDT.
High 3.8 feet (MLLW) 01:09 PM PDT.
Low 1.1 feet (MLLW) 06:30 PM PDT.
High 5.6 feet (MLLW) 11:53 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.
$$
Source: NOAA
East Santa Barbara Channel Coastal Waters Forecast (PZ 650)
Expires:202603210500;;006944 FZUS56 KLOX 201346 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 646 AM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026 Point Piedras Blancas to San Mateo Point CA out 60 NM including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary ...See weather.gov/marine/wavedetail for more info on the new Wave Detail format... PZZ650-210500- East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island- 646 AM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026 .TODAY...Light winds, becoming W 5 to 10 kt this afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 11 seconds. .TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 11 seconds. Patchy dense fog after midnight with vsby 1 NM or less. .SAT...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 11 seconds. Patchy dense fog in the morning with vsby 1 NM or less. .SAT NIGHT...Western Portion, NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Eastern Portion, W wind 5 to 10 kt becoming NW after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds. .SUN...Western Portion, NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Eastern Portion, SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 9 seconds. .SUN NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt, becoming N 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 8 seconds. .MON...Light winds, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .MON NIGHT...W wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming N after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .TUE...Light winds. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 9 seconds. .TUE NIGHT...W wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming NW 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 6 seconds and NW 2 ft at 12 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Waters Forecast from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island and Westward 60 NM (PZ 673)
Expires:202603210500;;006942 FZUS56 KLOX 201346 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 646 AM PDT Fri Mar 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... PZZ673-210500- Waters from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island CA and westward 60 nm including San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands- 646 AM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT... .TODAY...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 6 seconds, W 4 ft at 12 seconds and S 2 ft at 12 seconds. .TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 6 seconds, NW 5 ft at 11 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy dense fog after midnight with vsby 1 NM or less. .SAT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt, becoming 20 to 30 kt in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft, building to 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 7 seconds, NW 5 ft at 11 seconds and SW 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy dense fog in the morning with vsby 1 NM or less. .SAT NIGHT...NW wind 25 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 11 ft. Wave Detail: NW 11 ft at 9 seconds, W 2 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .SUN...NW wind 25 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 11 ft. Wave Detail: NW 10 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .SUN NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 25 kt with gusts to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: NW 10 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .MON...NW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: NW 8 ft at 10 seconds. .MON NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 7 seconds, NW 7 ft at 10 seconds and SW 2 ft at 19 seconds. .TUE...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 6 seconds and NW 8 ft at 14 seconds. .TUE NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 7 ft at 7 seconds and NW 6 ft at 12 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Outer Waters Forecast from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM Offshore (PZ 676)
Expires:202603210500;;006943 FZUS56 KLOX 201346 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 646 AM PDT Fri Mar 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... PZZ676-210500- Outer waters from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island to 60 NM offshore including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands- 646 AM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT... .TODAY...W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 6 seconds, W 3 ft at 12 seconds and S 2 ft at 13 seconds. .TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 6 seconds, W 3 ft at 12 seconds and SW 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy dense fog after midnight with vsby 1 NM or less. .SAT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 5 seconds, W 4 ft at 11 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy dense fog in the morning with vsby 1 NM or less. .SAT NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt, becoming 20 to 30 kt after midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft, building to 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .SUN...NW wind 20 to 30 kt, becoming 15 to 25 kt in the afternoon. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 10 seconds, NW 5 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .SUN NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .MON...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 8 seconds, NW 6 ft at 10 seconds and SW 2 ft at 20 seconds. .MON NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt, becoming 15 to 20 kt after midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 8 seconds and SW 2 ft at 19 seconds. .TUE...NW wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 12 seconds. .TUE NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt, becoming 15 to 25 kt after midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 7 seconds, NW 5 ft at 12 seconds and S 2 ft at 17 seconds. $$Source: NOAA
Inner Waters Forecast from Pt. Mugu to San Mateo Pt. (PZ 655)
Expires:202603210500;;006945 FZUS56 KLOX 201346 CWFLOX Coastal Waters Forecast for California National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 646 AM PDT Fri Mar 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... PZZ655-210500- Inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands- 646 AM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026 .TODAY...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt this afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 5 seconds, W 2 ft at 11 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. .TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt, becoming 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 5 seconds, W 2 ft at 11 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy dense fog after midnight with vsby 1 NM or less. .SAT...Light winds, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 11 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy dense fog in the morning with vsby 1 NM or less. .SAT NIGHT...W wind 5 to 10 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 10 seconds. .SUN...Light winds, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 10 seconds. .SUN NIGHT...W wind 5 to 10 kt in the evening, becoming light. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 10 seconds. .MON...Light winds. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. .MON 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. .TUE...Light winds. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 7 seconds. .TUE 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. $$ RAT www.weather.gov/losangelesSource: NOAA
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