Tide conditions for Santa Barbara surf spots
Santa Barbara, California
Updated Refreshed hourly · Tide data refreshes every 30 minutes from NOAA stations.
A foot of tide swing can shut down one break and light up another in Santa Barbara. These 3 spots all respond differently - some need the low to expose the bar, others clean up on a rising mid.
Current Tide
Next Low
05:00 PM
-0.2 ft
NOAA tide data via Cached Tide Data
Tide Chart
7-Day Tide Schedule
| Day | High 1 | Low 1 | High 2 | Low 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 10:00 AM(7.1ft) | 3:00 AM(4.2ft) | -- | 5:00 PM(1.3ft) |
| Tomorrow | 12:00 AM(4.8ft) | 4:00 AM(4.4ft) | 10:00 AM(6.9ft) | 6:00 PM(1.5ft) |
| Fri, Nov 13 | 2:00 AM(4.7ft) | 4:00 AM(4.6ft) | 11:00 AM(6.6ft) | 7:00 PM(1.7ft) |
| Sat, Nov 14 | 11:00 AM(6.3ft) | 8:00 PM(1.9ft) | -- | -- |
| Sun, Nov 15 | 12:00 PM(5.9ft) | 9:00 PM(2.1ft) | -- | -- |
| Mon, Nov 16 | 5:00 AM(5.2ft) | 8:00 AM(5.0ft) | 1:00 PM(5.5ft) | 9:00 PM(2.2ft) |
| Tue, Nov 17 | 5:00 AM(5.5ft) | 10:00 AM(4.5ft) | 3:00 PM(5.2ft) | 10:00 PM(2.3ft) |
Today
Tomorrow
Fri, Nov 13
Sat, Nov 14
Sun, Nov 15
Mon, Nov 16
Tue, Nov 17
Beach Tide Preferences
Each beach performs best at a specific tide range and direction. Plan your session around these windows.
Top spot recommendations
Sort your quiver, choose the right tide window, and jot down a backup in case the main peak gets stacked.
Featured Beaches
3 spots
El Capitan
AdvancedWhen a strong west swell wraps into this secluded point, El Capitan can produce 300-yard right-handers with barrel sections, but it's fickle and often flat. The take-off is steep over boulders and reef, making it best for experienced surfers.
Leadbetter
Beginner friendlySoft point/inside reef near the harbor with longboard-friendly lines.
Mesa Lane
IntermediateA rarely surfed reef break accessed via 240 steep steps, Mesa Lane offers both lefts and rights over a rocky bottom and works best on a rising tide with a west swell. Local surfers favour this spot after work and school.
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What to focus on today
- Annotated tide windows tied to specific breaks
- How lunar cycles reshape sandbars through the season
- Safety notes for rip-prone outbound tides
- Session planning tips for dawn patrol versus sunset
Frequently Asked Questions
About surfing in Santa Barbara
- Tide preferences vary by spot in Santa Barbara. Generally, incoming mid-tides work well for most beaches, offering a good balance of wave shape and power. Check individual spot guides for specific tide recommendations.
- Tides significantly impact surf conditions in Santa Barbara. Low tide can expose reefs and sandbars creating hollow waves, while high tide often creates softer, more forgiving waves. Mid-tide transitions typically offer the most consistent conditions.
- You can check tide charts for Santa Barbara on Quiver's surf forecast pages, NOAA tide predictions, or various surf forecast apps. Quiver provides real-time tide information integrated with surf conditions for accurate session planning.
