2.0ft Hs
WSW from · 242° · 5.2 s
CALIFORNIA / Gaviota edgeSPOT / 652
Refugio.
Shelter, shape, and a patient read.
Right34.461° N / 120.073° W
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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.
Estimated surf face1.1 ftForecast for Thu Oct 22, 11:00am Pacific
Coastal wind4.6 mphSE from
NOAA tide reference3.1 ftMLLW · Santa Barbara
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, 11:00am Pacific
GFS · 4 components
0.0ft Hs
No energy reported for this component
1.4ft Hs
WSW from · 243° · 13.0 s
0.7ft Hs
S from · 188° · 16.2 s
MFWAM · 2 components
2.4ft Hs
W from · 277° · 7.7 s
0.3ft Hs
SE from · 131° · 1.4 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, 11:30am. This is regional modeled wind, not a beach measurement.
Source retrievals: GFS Oct 22, 11:45am · ECMWF Oct 22, 11:45am · MFWAM Oct 22, 11:45am. 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, 35 km reference; retrieved Thu Oct 22, 6:30am. Station predictions can differ locally.
Seven-day overview
| Pacific day | Estimated surf face | Mean wind | Hours available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Oct 22 | 1.1 ft | 6.3 mph | 14/14 |
| Fri Oct 23 | 1.5 ft | 16.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Sat Oct 24 | 1.2 ft | 5.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Sun Oct 25 | 0.9 ft | 4.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Mon Oct 26 | 0.9 ft | 4.5 mph | 14/14 |
| Tue Oct 27 | 1.1 ft | 4.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Wed Oct 28 | 1.1 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 11:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.7–1.4 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.5 s | 4.6 mph SE | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Thu 12:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.7–1.4 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.5 s | 6.9 mph SSE | 2.3 ft | 3 |
| Thu 1:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.4 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.6 s | 8.6 mph SW | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Thu 2:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.7–1.3 ft | 1.5 ft | WSW · 9.6 s | 10.9 mph W | 1.5 ft | 3 |
| Thu 3:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.9–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.5 s | 10.0 mph W | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Thu 4:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.7–1.3 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 9.4 s | 3.6 mph WNW | 2.3 ft | 3 |
| Thu 5:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.5 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 5.8 mph W | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Thu 6:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.7–1.4 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 9.0 s | 5.0 mph NE | 3.9 ft | 3 |
| Thu 7:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.7–1.4 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 8.6 s | 4.8 mph S | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Thu 8:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.7–1.4 ft | 1.4 ft | W · 8.3 s | 8.0 mph WSW | 4.6 ft | 3 |
| Thu 9:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.7–1.4 ft | 1.5 ft | W · 8.2 s | 2.3 mph NNW | 4.4 ft | 3 |
| Thu 10:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.7–1.4 ft | 1.5 ft | W · 8.2 s | 10.0 mph NNW | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Thu 11:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.8–1.5 ft | 1.6 ft | W · 8.2 s | 10.1 mph NNW | 2.7 ft | 3 |
| Fri 12:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.5 ft | 1.6 ft | W · 8.2 s | 9.2 mph NNW | 1.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 1:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.5 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 8.2 s | 8.6 mph NNW | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 2:00am | 1.2 ft | 1.0–1.5 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 8.2 s | 7.3 mph WNW | 0.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 3:00am | 1.2 ft | 1.0–1.6 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 8.2 s | 14.0 mph NNW | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 4:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.6 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 8.3 s | 13.1 mph NNW | 1.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 5:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.6 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 8.3 s | 14.1 mph NNW | 2.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 6:00am | 1.3 ft | 1.0–1.7 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 8.3 s | 16.3 mph N | 4.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 7:00am | 1.4 ft | 1.0–1.8 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 8.2 s | 17.9 mph N | 4.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 8:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.8–1.8 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 8.2 s | 17.7 mph N | 5.3 ft | 3 |
| Fri 9:00am | 1.4 ft | 1.0–1.9 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 8.2 s | 18.5 mph NNW | 5.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 10:00am | 1.5 ft | 1.2–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.2 s | 14.9 mph N | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 11:00am | 1.5 ft | 1.2–1.9 ft | 2.3 ft | W · 8.2 s | 12.3 mph N | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Fri 12:00pm | 1.5 ft | 1.1–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.1 s | 13.3 mph NNW | 2.4 ft | 3 |
| Fri 1:00pm | 1.5 ft | 1.1–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 7.9 s | 12.2 mph NNW | 1.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 2:00pm | 1.5 ft | 1.1–2.0 ft | 2.3 ft | W · 7.7 s | 14.3 mph NNW | 0.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 3:00pm | 1.5 ft | 1.1–2.0 ft | 2.3 ft | W · 7.5 s | 13.3 mph NW | 0.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 4:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.2–2.0 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 7.5 s | 13.2 mph NNW | 1.3 ft | 3 |
| Fri 5:00pm | 1.5 ft | 1.2–2.0 ft | 2.2 ft | WNW · 7.4 s | 17.6 mph NNW | 2.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 6:00pm | 1.6 ft | 1.3–2.0 ft | 2.4 ft | WNW · 7.5 s | 22.8 mph N | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 7:00pm | 1.6 ft | 1.3–2.1 ft | 2.4 ft | WNW · 7.6 s | 21.1 mph NNW | 4.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 8:00pm | 1.6 ft | 1.1–2.1 ft | 2.4 ft | WNW · 7.7 s | 17.8 mph N | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 9:00pm | 1.6 ft | 1.0–2.1 ft | 2.3 ft | WNW · 7.9 s | 14.1 mph N | 4.6 ft | 3 |
| Fri 10:00pm | 1.5 ft | 1.0–2.0 ft | 2.3 ft | WNW · 8.2 s | 10.5 mph N | 4.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 11:00pm | 1.5 ft | 1.1–2.0 ft | 2.3 ft | WNW · 8.4 s | 6.3 mph N | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 12:00am | 1.5 ft | 1.1–1.9 ft | 2.3 ft | WNW · 8.6 s | 3.7 mph NNW | 2.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 1:00am | 1.5 ft | 1.1–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.7 s | 1.6 mph NE | 1.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 2:00am | 1.5 ft | 1.0–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.9 s | 1.8 mph NNE | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 3:00am | 1.4 ft | 1.0–1.8 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 9.0 s | 3.5 mph WNW | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 4:00am | 1.4 ft | 1.0–1.8 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 9.1 s | 4.5 mph S | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 5:00am | 1.4 ft | 1.0–1.8 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 9.2 s | 5.1 mph NE | 2.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 6:00am | 1.4 ft | 0.9–1.7 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 9.3 s | 5.6 mph NNE | 3.8 ft | 3 |
| Sat 7:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.9–1.7 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 9.3 s | 5.4 mph NNE | 4.9 ft | 3 |
| Sat 8:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.9–1.7 ft | 1.9 ft | W · 9.4 s | 4.8 mph NNE | 5.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 9:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.9–1.7 ft | 1.9 ft | W · 9.4 s | 2.9 mph NNE | 5.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 10:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.8–1.7 ft | 1.9 ft | W · 9.4 s | 1.2 mph WNW | 5.2 ft | 3 |
| Sat 11:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.6 ft | 1.9 ft | W · 9.4 s | 3.5 mph SW | 4.2 ft | 3 |
| Sat 12:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.6 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 9.4 s | 4.9 mph SW | 2.9 ft | 3 |
| Sat 1:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.7–1.6 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 9.4 s | 6.0 mph SW | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 2:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.7–1.6 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 9.3 s | 6.8 mph WSW | 0.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 3:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.6 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 9.2 s | 7.5 mph WSW | 0.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 4:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.6 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 9.0 s | 7.7 mph WSW | 0.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 5:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.6 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 8.8 s | 6.7 mph WSW | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 6:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.5 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 8.6 s | 4.0 mph W | 2.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 7:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.5 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 8.5 s | 4.7 mph NNW | 3.2 ft | 3 |
| Sat 8:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.5 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 8.4 s | 6.1 mph N | 4.0 ft | 3 |
| Sat 9:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.5 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 8.4 s | 6.2 mph N | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 10:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.4 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 8.6 s | 5.7 mph N | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 11:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.4 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 8.7 s | 5.5 mph N | 3.9 ft | 3 |
| Sun 12:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.4 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 8.7 s | 5.6 mph N | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Sun 1:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | W · 8.8 s | 5.4 mph N | 2.2 ft | 3 |
| Sun 2:00am | 1.0 ft | 0.7–1.3 ft | 1.5 ft | W · 8.8 s | 5.3 mph NNE | 1.6 ft | 3 |
| Sun 3:00am | 1.0 ft | 0.7–1.3 ft | 1.5 ft | W · 8.9 s | 5.0 mph NNE | 1.3 ft | 3 |
| Sun 4:00am | 1.0 ft | 0.6–1.3 ft | 1.5 ft | W · 9.0 s | 4.7 mph NNE | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Sun 5:00am | 1.0 ft | 0.6–1.3 ft | 1.4 ft | W · 9.1 s | 4.3 mph NNE | 2.5 ft | 3 |
| Sun 6:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.6–1.2 ft | 1.4 ft | W · 9.2 s | 4.1 mph NNE | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Sun 7:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.6–1.2 ft | 1.4 ft | W · 9.3 s | 4.2 mph NNE | 4.8 ft | 3 |
| Sun 8:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.6–1.2 ft | 1.4 ft | W · 9.3 s | 4.2 mph NNE | 5.7 ft | 3 |
| Sun 9:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.6–1.2 ft | 1.4 ft | W · 9.2 s | 2.5 mph NE | 6.1 ft | 3 |
| Sun 10:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.6–1.2 ft | 1.4 ft | W · 9.2 s | 1.7 mph SSE | 5.9 ft | 3 |
| Sun 11:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.6–1.2 ft | 1.3 ft | W · 9.1 s | 3.6 mph SSW | 5.0 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 mellow, scenic longboard right inside the state beach cove.
- Break type
- Point
- Wave direction
- Right
- Reported difficulty
- Beginner–intermediate when small
- Bottom
- Rock & sand
- Reported swell preference
- W, about 3–4 ft+ offshore energy
- Reported tide preference
- Low–mid
Generally more forgiving than El Cap. Outside kelp/reef lines and temporary inside sandbars can behave like separate peaks; this marker is the classic inside point.
Before paddling out: Rocks, campground traffic, currents with size, seasonal facilities.
Refugio State Beach Documented lineup
Source references
- Mondo — Ventura & Santa Barbara spot index ↗
- Cal Coast Adventures — Santa Barbara surf report ↗
- DeepSwell — Beavers / Hazards guide ↗
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
THE FIELD GUIDE / Refugio
Read this stretch of coast.
What defines this setup
Refugio is catalogued as point, with right waves over rock & sand. Those details explain why the same offshore height can feel different here than at the next beach. Use the map to orient yourself, then watch how the sets actually meet the bottom and where the ride opens or closes. The catalogue is a starting description, not a surveyed takeoff.
What to compare before you go
The retained swell preference is W, about 3–4 ft+ offshore energy; the reported tide preference is Low–mid. Start with the component panel: check whether the stronger incoming swell is in that directional window and whether a second system approaches from a different angle. Then compare wind and water level for the same hour. These are planning comparisons, not new corrections applied to the displayed surf-face estimate.
A useful shore check
The reported difficulty is Beginner–intermediate when small. Look at the interval between sets, the distance a surfer drifts while waiting, the room available to enter and exit, and whether the waves connect through the intended section. Catalogue hazards include Rocks, campground traffic, currents with size, seasonal facilities. If the session you see differs from the forecast, record that difference with the time and setup; it is information for the next visit, not a reason to force today’s session.
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
2.62–3.81 ftSignificant wave height (Hs) before the legacy spot reduction. This is not a measured breaking-face or set range.
Nearshore and buoy trends load here. Coverage and observation times are shown separately.