W from · 262° · 8.4 s
Poison Oak.
Localized reef / point
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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.
Thu Oct 22, 1:00pm Pacific
GFS · 4 components
WSW from · 246° · 5.2 s
WSW from · 238° · 10.4 s
S from · 191° · 16.0 s
MFWAM · 2 components
W from · 276° · 7.5 s
SE from · 130° · 1.6 s
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 Thu Oct 22, 12:30pm. This is regional modeled wind, not a beach measurement.
Source retrievals: GFS Oct 22, 1:00pm · ECMWF Oct 22, 12:45pm · MFWAM Oct 22, 1:00pm. 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 Thu Oct 22, 12:45pm. Station predictions can differ locally.
Seven-day overview
| Pacific day | Estimated surf face | Mean wind | Hours available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Oct 22 | 1.3 ft | 6.0 mph | 14/14 |
| Fri Oct 23 | 1.8 ft | 16.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Sat Oct 24 | 1.5 ft | 5.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Sun Oct 25 | 1.1 ft | 4.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Mon Oct 26 | 1.1 ft | 4.5 mph | 14/14 |
| Tue Oct 27 | 1.4 ft | 4.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Wed Oct 28 | 1.4 ft | 3.4 mph | 14/14 |
Hourly details · next 72 hours
| Pacific time | Estimated surf face | Model range | Set proxy | Swell from | Wind | Tide MLLW | Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 1:00pm | 1.3 ft | 1.0–1.7 ft | 2.0 ft | WSW · 9.5 s | 7.3 mph SSW | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Thu 2:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.7 ft | 1.9 ft | WSW · 9.4 s | 9.7 mph W | 1.5 ft | 3 |
| Thu 3:00pm | 1.3 ft | 1.1–1.7 ft | 1.9 ft | WSW · 9.2 s | 4.2 mph WSW | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Thu 4:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.7 ft | 1.8 ft | WSW · 9.0 s | 7.0 mph W | 2.3 ft | 3 |
| Thu 5:00pm | 1.2 ft | 1.0–1.7 ft | 1.8 ft | WSW · 8.9 s | 1.3 mph SSE | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Thu 6:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.7 ft | 1.8 ft | WSW · 8.8 s | 6.7 mph WSW | 3.9 ft | 3 |
| Thu 7:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.7 ft | 1.8 ft | WSW · 8.7 s | 6.1 mph NE | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Thu 8:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.7 ft | 1.7 ft | WSW · 8.6 s | 4.6 mph WSW | 4.6 ft | 3 |
| Thu 9:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.7 ft | 1.8 ft | WSW · 8.4 s | 12.1 mph NW | 4.4 ft | 3 |
| Thu 10:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.7 ft | 1.8 ft | WSW · 8.3 s | 11.8 mph NNW | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Thu 11:00pm | 1.3 ft | 1.0–1.8 ft | 1.9 ft | W · 8.2 s | 8.2 mph NW | 2.7 ft | 3 |
| Fri 12:00am | 1.3 ft | 1.1–1.8 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 8.2 s | 9.5 mph NNW | 1.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 1:00am | 1.4 ft | 1.1–1.8 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 8.3 s | 10.0 mph NNW | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 2:00am | 1.4 ft | 1.2–1.8 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 8.3 s | 8.5 mph NW | 0.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 3:00am | 1.5 ft | 1.2–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.3 s | 11.1 mph NW | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 4:00am | 1.5 ft | 1.2–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.2 s | 9.1 mph NW | 1.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 5:00am | 1.5 ft | 1.1–2.0 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.2 s | 14.1 mph NNW | 2.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 6:00am | 1.6 ft | 1.2–2.0 ft | 2.4 ft | W · 8.2 s | 16.3 mph N | 4.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 7:00am | 1.6 ft | 1.2–2.1 ft | 2.4 ft | W · 8.1 s | 17.9 mph N | 4.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 8:00am | 1.5 ft | 0.9–2.2 ft | 2.3 ft | W · 8.1 s | 17.7 mph N | 5.3 ft | 3 |
| Fri 9:00am | 1.7 ft | 1.1–2.2 ft | 2.5 ft | W · 8.2 s | 18.5 mph NNW | 5.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 10:00am | 1.8 ft | 1.4–2.2 ft | 2.7 ft | W · 8.3 s | 14.9 mph N | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 11:00am | 1.8 ft | 1.5–2.3 ft | 2.7 ft | W · 8.3 s | 12.3 mph N | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Fri 12:00pm | 1.8 ft | 1.3–2.3 ft | 2.7 ft | W · 8.2 s | 13.3 mph NNW | 2.4 ft | 3 |
| Fri 1:00pm | 1.8 ft | 1.3–2.3 ft | 2.7 ft | W · 8.0 s | 12.2 mph NNW | 1.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 2:00pm | 1.8 ft | 1.4–2.3 ft | 2.7 ft | W · 7.9 s | 14.3 mph NNW | 0.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 3:00pm | 1.8 ft | 1.4–2.4 ft | 2.7 ft | W · 7.7 s | 13.3 mph NW | 0.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 4:00pm | 1.8 ft | 1.4–2.4 ft | 2.6 ft | W · 7.5 s | 13.2 mph NNW | 1.3 ft | 3 |
| Fri 5:00pm | 1.8 ft | 1.4–2.5 ft | 2.7 ft | W · 7.4 s | 17.6 mph NNW | 2.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 6:00pm | 1.9 ft | 1.5–2.5 ft | 2.9 ft | WNW · 7.4 s | 22.8 mph N | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 7:00pm | 2.0 ft | 1.5–2.5 ft | 2.9 ft | WNW · 7.4 s | 21.1 mph NNW | 4.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 8:00pm | 1.9 ft | 1.4–2.6 ft | 2.9 ft | WNW · 7.6 s | 17.8 mph N | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 9:00pm | 1.9 ft | 1.3–2.5 ft | 2.8 ft | WNW · 7.8 s | 14.1 mph N | 4.6 ft | 3 |
| Fri 10:00pm | 1.8 ft | 1.2–2.5 ft | 2.8 ft | WNW · 8.1 s | 10.5 mph N | 4.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 11:00pm | 1.9 ft | 1.3–2.4 ft | 2.8 ft | WNW · 8.3 s | 6.3 mph N | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 12:00am | 1.8 ft | 1.3–2.3 ft | 2.7 ft | WNW · 8.5 s | 3.7 mph NNW | 2.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 1:00am | 1.8 ft | 1.3–2.3 ft | 2.7 ft | W · 8.7 s | 1.6 mph NE | 1.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 2:00am | 1.8 ft | 1.2–2.3 ft | 2.6 ft | W · 8.9 s | 1.8 mph NNE | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 3:00am | 1.7 ft | 1.2–2.2 ft | 2.6 ft | W · 9.0 s | 3.5 mph WNW | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 4:00am | 1.7 ft | 1.2–2.2 ft | 2.6 ft | W · 9.1 s | 4.5 mph S | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 5:00am | 1.7 ft | 1.2–2.1 ft | 2.5 ft | W · 9.2 s | 5.1 mph NE | 2.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 6:00am | 1.7 ft | 1.1–2.1 ft | 2.5 ft | W · 9.3 s | 5.6 mph NNE | 3.8 ft | 3 |
| Sat 7:00am | 1.6 ft | 1.1–2.1 ft | 2.4 ft | W · 9.3 s | 5.4 mph NNE | 4.9 ft | 3 |
| Sat 8:00am | 1.6 ft | 1.1–2.0 ft | 2.4 ft | W · 9.4 s | 4.8 mph NNE | 5.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 9:00am | 1.6 ft | 1.0–2.0 ft | 2.3 ft | W · 9.4 s | 2.9 mph NNE | 5.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 10:00am | 1.6 ft | 1.0–2.0 ft | 2.3 ft | W · 9.4 s | 1.2 mph WNW | 5.2 ft | 3 |
| Sat 11:00am | 1.5 ft | 1.0–2.0 ft | 2.3 ft | W · 9.4 s | 3.5 mph SW | 4.2 ft | 3 |
| Sat 12:00pm | 1.5 ft | 0.9–2.0 ft | 2.3 ft | W · 9.4 s | 4.9 mph SW | 2.9 ft | 3 |
| Sat 1:00pm | 1.5 ft | 0.9–2.0 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 9.4 s | 6.0 mph SW | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 2:00pm | 1.5 ft | 0.9–2.0 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 9.3 s | 6.8 mph WSW | 0.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 3:00pm | 1.5 ft | 0.9–2.0 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 9.1 s | 7.5 mph WSW | 0.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 4:00pm | 1.5 ft | 1.0–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.8 s | 7.7 mph WSW | 0.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 5:00pm | 1.5 ft | 1.0–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.5 s | 6.7 mph WSW | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 6:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.0–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.4 s | 4.0 mph W | 2.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 7:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.0–1.9 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 8.3 s | 4.7 mph NNW | 3.2 ft | 3 |
| Sat 8:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.0–1.9 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 8.2 s | 6.1 mph N | 4.0 ft | 3 |
| Sat 9:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.1–1.8 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 8.3 s | 6.2 mph N | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 10:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.1–1.8 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 8.5 s | 5.7 mph N | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 11:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.1–1.7 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 8.6 s | 5.5 mph N | 3.9 ft | 3 |
| Sun 12:00am | 1.4 ft | 1.1–1.7 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 8.7 s | 5.6 mph N | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Sun 1:00am | 1.3 ft | 1.0–1.6 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 8.8 s | 5.4 mph N | 2.2 ft | 3 |
| Sun 2:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.9–1.6 ft | 1.9 ft | W · 8.8 s | 5.3 mph NNE | 1.6 ft | 3 |
| Sun 3:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.6 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 8.9 s | 5.0 mph NNE | 1.3 ft | 3 |
| Sun 4:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.5 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 9.0 s | 4.7 mph NNE | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Sun 5:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.7–1.5 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 9.0 s | 4.3 mph NNE | 2.5 ft | 3 |
| Sun 6:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.7–1.5 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 9.1 s | 4.1 mph NNE | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Sun 7:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.7–1.5 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 9.1 s | 4.2 mph NNE | 4.8 ft | 3 |
| Sun 8:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.7–1.5 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 9.2 s | 4.2 mph NNE | 5.7 ft | 3 |
| Sun 9:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.7–1.5 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 9.2 s | 2.5 mph NE | 6.1 ft | 3 |
| Sun 10:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.7–1.5 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 9.1 s | 1.7 mph SSE | 5.9 ft | 3 |
| Sun 11:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.7–1.5 ft | 1.6 ft | W · 9.1 s | 3.6 mph SSW | 5.0 ft | 3 |
| Sun 12:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.7–1.5 ft | 1.6 ft | W · 9.1 s | 4.1 mph SSW | 3.7 ft | 3 |
| Sun 1:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.6–1.4 ft | 1.6 ft | W · 9.2 s | 4.9 mph SSW | 2.2 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
2.56–3.87 ftSignificant wave height (Hs) before the legacy spot reduction. This is not a measured breaking-face or set range.








