W from · 281° · 12.8 s
Poison Oak.
Localized reef / point
Powered by Esri · Esri, Vantor, Earthstar Geographics, and the GIS User Community.
Forecast & tide at a glance
Estimated surf face · feet · Pacific time. The existing PureSurfers face-estimation engine; not a measured or calibrated breaking-wave report.
READ THE INDIVIDUAL SWELLS
Swell by swell.
Offshore component height (Hs), not surf-face height. Directions are where waves come from. Component heights do not add together.
Wed Nov 11, 2:00pm Pacific
GFS · 4 components
No energy reported for this component
SSW from · 195° · 14.3 s
No energy reported for this component
MFWAM · 2 components
W from · 280° · 9.7 s
No energy reported for this component
Each model supplies its own partitions. Missing components remain unavailable; another model’s primary swell is not automatically the same wave system.
Coastal wind retrieved Wed Nov 11, 2:30pm. This is regional modeled wind, not a beach measurement.
Source retrievals: GFS Nov 11, 2:15pm · ECMWF Nov 11, 2:00pm · MFWAM Nov 11, 2:15pm. Retrieval time is not the model issue time. This page combines all available cached model families; map model selections are separate.
Tide predictions: Santa Barbara, 33 km reference; retrieved Wed Nov 11, 12:45pm. Station predictions can differ locally.
Seven-day overview
| Pacific day | Estimated surf face | Mean wind | Hours available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Nov 11 | 2.4 ft | 5.3 mph | 14/14 |
| Thu Nov 12 | 2.3 ft | 10.3 mph | 14/14 |
| Fri Nov 13 | 3.4 ft | 7.5 mph | 14/14 |
| Sat Nov 14 | 5.7 ft | 5.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Sun Nov 15 | 3.4 ft | 4.2 mph | 14/14 |
| Mon Nov 16 | 4.5 ft | 3.4 mph | 14/14 |
| Tue Nov 17 | 3.2 ft | 4.4 mph | 14/14 |
Hourly details · next 72 hours
| Pacific time | Estimated surf face | Model range | Set proxy | Swell from | Wind | Tide MLLW | Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 2:00pm | 2.4 ft | 1.7–3.2 ft | 3.5 ft | WNW · 12.3 s | 5.7 mph SSW | 2.0 ft | 3 |
| Wed 3:00pm | 2.4 ft | 1.7–3.2 ft | 3.6 ft | WNW · 12.3 s | 6.4 mph SW | 0.9 ft | 3 |
| Wed 4:00pm | 2.4 ft | 1.7–3.2 ft | 3.5 ft | WNW · 12.3 s | 8.7 mph WSW | 0.1 ft | 3 |
| Wed 5:00pm | 2.3 ft | 1.6–3.2 ft | 3.5 ft | WNW · 12.2 s | 5.8 mph W | -0.2 ft | 3 |
| Wed 6:00pm | 2.3 ft | 1.6–3.1 ft | 3.4 ft | WNW · 12.1 s | 4.6 mph WNW | 0.0 ft | 3 |
| Wed 7:00pm | 2.2 ft | 1.6–3.1 ft | 3.4 ft | WNW · 12.1 s | 3.2 mph NW | 0.5 ft | 3 |
| Wed 8:00pm | 2.2 ft | 1.5–3.0 ft | 3.3 ft | WNW · 12.0 s | 3.4 mph NW | 1.3 ft | 3 |
| Wed 9:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.5–2.9 ft | 3.2 ft | WNW · 12.0 s | 5.6 mph NW | 2.2 ft | 3 |
| Wed 10:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.5–2.9 ft | 3.1 ft | WNW · 12.0 s | 5.5 mph WNW | 2.9 ft | 3 |
| Wed 11:00pm | 2.0 ft | 1.5–2.8 ft | 3.0 ft | WNW · 12.0 s | 6.1 mph NW | 3.3 ft | 3 |
| Thu 12:00am | 2.0 ft | 1.4–2.7 ft | 3.0 ft | WNW · 12.0 s | 7.1 mph NW | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Thu 1:00am | 2.0 ft | 1.4–2.7 ft | 3.0 ft | WNW · 11.9 s | 4.1 mph NNW | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Thu 2:00am | 2.0 ft | 1.4–2.6 ft | 2.9 ft | WNW · 11.9 s | 3.0 mph NNE | 3.2 ft | 3 |
| Thu 3:00am | 1.9 ft | 1.4–2.6 ft | 2.9 ft | W · 11.9 s | 4.5 mph E | 3.0 ft | 3 |
| Thu 4:00am | 2.0 ft | 1.4–2.6 ft | 2.9 ft | W · 11.9 s | 3.6 mph E | 3.0 ft | 3 |
| Thu 5:00am | 2.0 ft | 1.5–2.6 ft | 3.0 ft | W · 11.9 s | 3.0 mph ENE | 3.3 ft | 3 |
| Thu 6:00am | 2.0 ft | 1.5–2.6 ft | 3.0 ft | WNW · 12.0 s | 5.0 mph ESE | 3.7 ft | 3 |
| Thu 7:00am | 2.0 ft | 1.5–2.7 ft | 3.0 ft | WNW · 12.0 s | 5.1 mph SSE | 4.3 ft | 3 |
| Thu 8:00am | 2.1 ft | 1.6–2.7 ft | 3.1 ft | WNW · 12.1 s | 5.5 mph S | 4.9 ft | 3 |
| Thu 9:00am | 2.1 ft | 1.6–2.8 ft | 3.2 ft | WNW · 12.1 s | 8.5 mph SSW | 5.4 ft | 3 |
| Thu 10:00am | 2.2 ft | 1.7–2.8 ft | 3.3 ft | WNW · 12.2 s | 8.2 mph S | 5.6 ft | 3 |
| Thu 11:00am | 2.2 ft | 1.7–2.9 ft | 3.4 ft | WNW · 12.3 s | 11.5 mph S | 5.4 ft | 3 |
| Thu 12:00pm | 2.3 ft | 1.8–3.0 ft | 3.5 ft | WNW · 12.4 s | 12.6 mph SSE | 4.8 ft | 3 |
| Thu 1:00pm | 2.3 ft | 1.9–3.1 ft | 3.5 ft | WNW · 12.5 s | 13.1 mph SSE | 3.9 ft | 3 |
| Thu 2:00pm | 2.4 ft | 2.0–3.1 ft | 3.6 ft | WNW · 12.7 s | 13.4 mph SSE | 2.8 ft | 3 |
| Thu 3:00pm | 2.4 ft | 1.9–3.1 ft | 3.6 ft | WNW · 12.9 s | 13.0 mph S | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Thu 4:00pm | 2.5 ft | 2.0–3.2 ft | 3.7 ft | WNW · 13.0 s | 13.3 mph SSE | 0.8 ft | 3 |
| Thu 5:00pm | 2.5 ft | 2.0–3.3 ft | 3.8 ft | WNW · 13.2 s | 12.8 mph S | 0.2 ft | 3 |
| Thu 6:00pm | 2.7 ft | 2.1–3.4 ft | 4.0 ft | WNW · 13.3 s | 10.8 mph SSE | 0.0 ft | 3 |
| Thu 7:00pm | 2.8 ft | 2.4–3.4 ft | 4.2 ft | WNW · 13.4 s | 11.7 mph SE | 0.3 ft | 3 |
| Thu 8:00pm | 2.9 ft | 2.3–3.5 ft | 4.4 ft | WNW · 13.5 s | 14.2 mph SE | 0.8 ft | 3 |
| Thu 9:00pm | 2.9 ft | 2.4–3.7 ft | 4.4 ft | WNW · 13.7 s | 14.9 mph SE | 1.6 ft | 3 |
| Thu 10:00pm | 3.0 ft | 2.5–3.7 ft | 4.5 ft | WNW · 13.7 s | 16.6 mph ESE | 2.3 ft | 3 |
| Thu 11:00pm | 3.2 ft | 2.5–3.9 ft | 4.8 ft | WNW · 13.6 s | 19.1 mph ESE | 2.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 12:00am | 3.1 ft | 2.3–4.0 ft | 4.6 ft | W · 13.5 s | 18.4 mph ESE | 3.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 1:00am | 3.3 ft | 2.4–4.2 ft | 4.9 ft | W · 13.3 s | 18.9 mph E | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Fri 2:00am | 3.4 ft | 2.5–4.3 ft | 5.1 ft | W · 13.1 s | 18.5 mph ESE | 3.3 ft | 3 |
| Fri 3:00am | 3.4 ft | 2.6–4.3 ft | 5.2 ft | W · 13.0 s | 21.1 mph SE | 3.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 4:00am | 3.5 ft | 2.4–4.4 ft | 5.2 ft | W · 12.8 s | 13.1 mph ESE | 3.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 5:00am | 3.5 ft | 2.5–4.4 ft | 5.2 ft | W · 12.8 s | 11.0 mph ENE | 3.3 ft | 3 |
| Fri 6:00am | 3.4 ft | 2.5–4.4 ft | 5.1 ft | W · 12.7 s | 12.1 mph E | 3.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 7:00am | 3.4 ft | 2.7–4.4 ft | 5.1 ft | W · 12.7 s | 11.9 mph E | 4.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 8:00am | 3.4 ft | 2.6–4.3 ft | 5.0 ft | W · 12.6 s | 8.8 mph ESE | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 9:00am | 3.4 ft | 2.7–4.2 ft | 5.0 ft | W · 12.6 s | 10.3 mph SE | 4.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 10:00am | 3.3 ft | 2.7–4.2 ft | 5.0 ft | W · 12.6 s | 9.0 mph SSE | 5.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 11:00am | 3.3 ft | 2.7–4.2 ft | 5.0 ft | W · 12.6 s | 6.8 mph S | 5.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 12:00pm | 3.4 ft | 2.8–4.2 ft | 5.0 ft | W · 12.6 s | 6.7 mph SSW | 4.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 1:00pm | 3.4 ft | 2.8–4.2 ft | 5.0 ft | W · 12.5 s | 6.7 mph SSW | 4.3 ft | 3 |
| Fri 2:00pm | 3.4 ft | 2.8–4.2 ft | 5.1 ft | W · 12.5 s | 5.8 mph SW | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Fri 3:00pm | 3.4 ft | 2.9–4.2 ft | 5.1 ft | W · 12.4 s | 5.9 mph SW | 2.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 4:00pm | 3.4 ft | 2.9–4.2 ft | 5.1 ft | W · 12.3 s | 6.7 mph WSW | 1.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 5:00pm | 3.5 ft | 2.9–4.3 ft | 5.2 ft | W · 11.9 s | 6.1 mph W | 0.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 6:00pm | 3.5 ft | 2.8–4.3 ft | 5.3 ft | W · 11.5 s | 4.6 mph W | 0.3 ft | 3 |
| Fri 7:00pm | 3.5 ft | 2.9–4.4 ft | 5.3 ft | W · 11.2 s | 4.2 mph WNW | 0.3 ft | 3 |
| Fri 8:00pm | 3.6 ft | 2.8–4.5 ft | 5.5 ft | W · 11.1 s | 3.5 mph NNW | 0.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 9:00pm | 3.7 ft | 2.8–4.6 ft | 5.6 ft | W · 11.1 s | 3.5 mph NW | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 10:00pm | 3.8 ft | 2.7–4.8 ft | 5.7 ft | W · 11.2 s | 2.8 mph W | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Fri 11:00pm | 3.9 ft | 2.7–4.9 ft | 5.8 ft | W · 11.5 s | 3.5 mph W | 2.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 12:00am | 4.0 ft | 2.6–5.1 ft | 5.9 ft | W · 11.9 s | 5.2 mph SW | 2.9 ft | 3 |
| Sat 1:00am | 3.9 ft | 2.6–5.2 ft | 5.9 ft | W · 12.4 s | 1.2 mph SSW | 3.2 ft | 3 |
| Sat 2:00am | 4.2 ft | 2.8–5.5 ft | 6.2 ft | WNW · 12.9 s | 3.9 mph WSW | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 3:00am | 4.5 ft | 2.8–5.7 ft | 6.7 ft | WNW · 13.4 s | 2.4 mph NNW | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 4:00am | 4.7 ft | 2.9–6.0 ft | 7.0 ft | WNW · 13.9 s | 4.8 mph NNW | 3.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 5:00am | 4.9 ft | 3.0–6.3 ft | 7.4 ft | WNW · 14.4 s | 4.8 mph NNW | 3.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 6:00am | 5.0 ft | 3.3–6.6 ft | 7.5 ft | WNW · 14.7 s | 4.8 mph NNW | 3.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 7:00am | 5.3 ft | 3.7–6.8 ft | 8.0 ft | WNW · 15.1 s | 5.2 mph NNW | 3.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 8:00am | 5.5 ft | 4.1–7.0 ft | 8.3 ft | WNW · 15.3 s | 5.1 mph NNW | 4.0 ft | 3 |
| Sat 9:00am | 5.8 ft | 4.3–7.2 ft | 8.8 ft | WNW · 15.5 s | 4.8 mph NNW | 4.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 10:00am | 6.0 ft | 4.5–7.3 ft | 8.9 ft | WNW · 15.6 s | 4.5 mph NW | 4.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 11:00am | 6.0 ft | 4.6–7.4 ft | 9.1 ft | WNW · 15.7 s | 3.9 mph WNW | 4.9 ft | 3 |
| Sat 12:00pm | 5.9 ft | 4.6–7.5 ft | 8.8 ft | WNW · 15.6 s | 4.3 mph W | 4.8 ft | 3 |
| Sat 1:00pm | 5.9 ft | 4.6–7.6 ft | 8.9 ft | WNW · 15.5 s | 4.5 mph WSW | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 2:00pm | 5.9 ft | 4.6–7.6 ft | 8.8 ft | WNW · 15.4 s | 4.6 mph SW | 3.9 ft | 3 |
Model spread is not a confidence interval. Tide and wind are context, not new corrections to surf size. Larger sets and changing hazards remain possible.
This page reads the shared cache first. Refresh requests only this spot’s existing regional samples.
Know the spot
A long-standing Gaviota local name included at corridor scale rather than omitted as “secret.”
Also known as Poison Oaks · Poison Oak Point.
- Break type
- Localized reef / point
- Wave direction
- Direction not consistently documented
- Reported difficulty
- Advanced / local knowledge
- Bottom
- Reef / rock
- Reported swell preference
- W-window; local knowledge matters
- Reported tide preference
- Not reliably documented
The name is corroborated in local-history and surfer accounts, but public sources do not resolve a defensible exact coordinate or universal wave description. The pin is intentionally coarse and may need correction from firsthand local knowledge.
Before paddling out: Private land, steep/vegetated access, poison oak, rocks, remote rescue and localism.
No route shown — local/private access knowledge required Coarse El Cap–Refugio corridor pin; exact takeoff unverified
Source references
- Goleta Surfing — Birds Eye View / local names ↗
- Surfing Ruined My Life — Jan. 2018 local session notes ↗
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
THE FIELD GUIDE / Poison Oak
Read this stretch of coast.
Follow the swell window
The catalogue’s reported preference for Poison Oak is “W-window; local knowledge matters”. Compare that description with each component’s incoming direction and period. An offshore swell number is a reference; the local wave still depends on the actual shoreline, bottom and tide.
Check the water level
Reported tide preference: Not reliably documented. Follow the named NOAA station and its trend through your intended session, then inspect the entry and exit at the beach. A station prediction is not a water-level sensor at this takeoff.
Read the bottom and the lineup
Catalogue bottom: Reef / rock. Reported difficulty: Advanced / local knowledge. Watch several sets before choosing where to enter, keep clear of riders, and compare the actual wave with your ability and equipment.
A useful note for next time
Record the section you actually surfed, the time, incoming swell direction and period, wind and tide trend. Add what the wave did: connected sections, closeouts, drift or exposed obstacles. Comparing that observation with the same model next time is more useful than treating one colored number as the whole session.
Camera references nearby
No nearby camera reference in the current registry. The atlas camera layer may have other regional views.
Links to third-party camera pages, not owned feeds. Proximity does not confirm the camera sees this break. Playback and image freshness have not been verified by this page.
Make the next session easier
Lineup etiquette · Paddling technique · How these forecasts work
Nearby spots to compare
PureSurfers is built by Peter Ochabski. Spot profiles combine retained sources and contributor observations; this is not a claim he has surfed or verified every entry.
COASTAL WAVE GUIDANCE
Waves at the model cells
3.22–6.23 ftSignificant wave height (Hs) before the legacy spot reduction. This is not a measured breaking-face or set range.








