Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast Beaches: rip current risk and surf forecast

CaliforniaNear Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara CountyNWS zone CAZ350NWS Los Angeles-Oxnard

Rip current risk today: Low. Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard.

Surf 1 to 3 feet, water around 70 degrees. Buoy 46053, 12 mi out, measured 70 °F water. Sunset 6:46 PM.

Rip current risk: LowToday
Surf: 1 to 3 feetForecast
Water: Around 70 degreesForecast
Sunset: 6:46 PMPDT

Rip current risk on the map

Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast Beaches. Open it for the live map, where it pans and zooms.

Open the live map with rip current risk

Map layer from NOAA National Weather Service surf zone forecasts. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Alerts in force1

Beach hazards statements, high surf advisories, rip current statements and every other National Weather Service product in force for zone CAZ350.

Beach Hazards Statementuntil Wed 5:00 PM
Beach Hazards Statement issued September 29 at 1:45PM PDT until September 30 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
* WHAT...Strong rip currents. Minor tidal overflows, especially during the late morning high tides. * WHERE...Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast and Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast. * WHEN...Through Wednesday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Pooling of sea water is possible around high tide at beach and harbor areas that is uncommon with normal tidal ranges. Enhanced beach erosion is also possible. No significant damage is expected. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea.
Remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers. Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.

All alerts for this area.

Today and tomorrow

From the National Weather Service beach forecast, issued 142 PM PDT, 9/29/2026.

Today This afternoon through wednesday

Low rip current risk

Rip current risk: Low
Surf: 1 to 3 feet
Water temperature: Around 70 degrees
Thunderstorms: None expected

Tomorrow Thursday

Low rip current risk

Rip current risk: Low
Surf: 1 to 2 feet
Thunderstorms: None expected

The surf zone forecast, period by period

Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast, Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast. Issued 1:42 PM PDT on Tue, Sep 29 by the National Weather Service in Los Angeles-Oxnard.

Beach hazards statement through 5 pm wednesday

This afternoon through wednesday

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1 to 3 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None expected
Water Temperature: Around 70 degrees
Astronomical Tides: High 3.7 feet (MLLW) 01:51 AM PDT. Low 2.3 feet (MLLW) 06:31 AM PDT. High 6.0 feet (MLLW) 01:01 PM PDT. Low 0.1 feet (MLLW) 08:33 PM PDT
Remarks: West swell

Thursday

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1 to 2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None expected
Astronomical Tides: High 3.3 feet (MLLW) 03:14 AM PDT. Low 2.7 feet (MLLW) 07:03 AM PDT. High 5.8 feet (MLLW) 01:51 PM PDT. Low 0.2 feet (MLLW) 09:50 PM PDT
Remarks: West swell

The office's notes on this forecast

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.

The product as issued

FZUS56 KLOX 292042
SRFLOX

Surf Zone Forecast
National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard
142 PM PDT Tue Sep 29 2026

CAZ362-364-301145-
Malibu Coast-
Los Angeles County Beaches-
142 PM PDT Tue Sep 29 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT THROUGH 5 PM WEDNESDAY...
...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK...

.THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Moderate.
Surf Height...................3 to 5 feet early lowering to 2 to 4 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Water Temperature.............71 to 74 degrees.
Astronomical Tides............High 3.7 feet (MLLW) 01:17 AM PDT.
                              Low 2.1 feet (MLLW) 06:05 AM PDT.
                              High 6.1 feet (MLLW) 12:36 PM PDT.
                              Low 0.1 feet (MLLW) 08:03 PM PDT.
Remarks.......................Mixed south swell and west swell.

.THURSDAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Astronomical Tides............High 3.3 feet (MLLW) 02:38 AM PDT.
                              Low 2.6 feet (MLLW) 06:34 AM PDT.
                              High 5.8 feet (MLLW) 01:24 PM PDT.
                              Low 0.3 feet (MLLW) 09:24 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.

$$


CAZ354-301145-
Ventura County Beaches-
142 PM PDT Tue Sep 29 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT THROUGH 5 PM WEDNESDAY...
...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK...

.THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Moderate.
Surf Height...................3 to 5 feet early lowering to 2 to 4 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Water Temperature.............71 to 73 degrees.
Astronomical Tides............High 3.7 feet (MLLW) 01:20 AM PDT.
                              Low 2.1 feet (MLLW) 06:09 AM PDT.
                              High 6.0 feet (MLLW) 12:40 PM PDT.
                              Low 0.1 feet (MLLW) 08:06 PM PDT.
Remarks.......................West swell.

.THURSDAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Astronomical Tides............High 3.2 feet (MLLW) 02:40 AM PDT.
                              Low 2.5 feet (MLLW) 06:39 AM PDT.
                              High 5.8 feet (MLLW) 01:29 PM PDT.
                              Low 0.3 feet (MLLW) 09:24 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.

$$


CAZ349-350-301145-
Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast-
Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast-
142 PM PDT Tue Sep 29 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT THROUGH 5 PM WEDNESDAY...

.THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 3 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Water Temperature.............Around 70 degrees.
Astronomical Tides............High 3.7 feet (MLLW) 01:51 AM PDT.
                              Low 2.3 feet (MLLW) 06:31 AM PDT.
                              High 6.0 feet (MLLW) 01:01 PM PDT.
                              Low 0.1 feet (MLLW) 08:33 PM PDT.
Remarks.......................West swell.

.THURSDAY...
Rip Current Risk*.............Low.
Surf Height...................1 to 2 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Astronomical Tides............High 3.3 feet (MLLW) 03:14 AM PDT.
                              Low 2.7 feet (MLLW) 07:03 AM PDT.
                              High 5.8 feet (MLLW) 01:51 PM PDT.
                              Low 0.2 feet (MLLW) 09:50 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.

$$


CAZ340-346-301145-
San Luis Obispo County Beaches-
Santa Barbara Central Coast Beaches-
142 PM PDT Tue Sep 29 2026


.THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY...
Surf Height...................4 to 7 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Water Temperature.............61 to 63 degrees.
Astronomical Tides............High 3.8 feet (MLLW) 02:28 AM PDT.
                              Low 2.5 feet (MLLW) 07:04 AM PDT.
                              High 5.9 feet (MLLW) 01:27 PM PDT.
                              Low 0.0 feet (MLLW) 09:02 PM PDT.
Remarks.......................West swell.

.THURSDAY...
Surf Height...................3 to 6 feet.
Thunderstorm Potential........None expected.
Astronomical Tides............High 3.5 feet (MLLW) 03:52 AM PDT.
                              Low 2.9 feet (MLLW) 07:42 AM PDT.
                              High 5.8 feet (MLLW) 02:16 PM PDT.
                              Low 0.0 feet (MLLW) 10:15 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.

$$

The water now, measured

Buoy 46053, EAST SANTA BARBARA - 12NM Southwest of Santa Barbara, CA, 12 mi away, reported 1:30 PM.

Water temperature: 70 °F
Air temperature: 70 °F
Wind: 14 kt from the WSW

From NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Wave height is the significant height, the average of the highest third; the largest waves run half again as high. The dominant period is the period of the most energetic waves, the average period that of all of them. Offshore buoys read bigger than the surf at the beach.

Swell forecast

The Copernicus Marine Service's global wave model, at the nearest sea point of the model, 3.9 mi from these beaches, every 3 hours through Thu, Oct 8.

Waves 3.4 ft to 4.0 ft today, the main swell 2.4 ft at 7 s from the west. Biggest in the next 7 days: 4.0 ft today.

Waves (significant height)
Primary swell
Secondary swell
Wind waves

Day	Waves	Main swell at midday	Wind waves	Longest period
Tue, Sep 29	3.4 to 4.0 ft	2.4 ft at 7 s from the west	1.9 ft	15 s
Wed, Sep 30	3.1 to 3.8 ft	3.3 ft at 7 s from the west	0.1 ft	13 s
Thu, Oct 1	2.4 to 3.1 ft	2.6 ft at 7 s from the west	0.6 ft	11 s
Fri, Oct 2	2.2 to 2.5 ft	1.9 ft at 6 s from the west	0.9 ft	11 s
Sat, Oct 3	1.9 to 2.2 ft	1.5 ft at 7 s from the west	0.5 ft	11 s
Sun, Oct 4	1.7 to 2.0 ft	1.0 ft at 6 s from the west-northwest	0.6 ft	13 s
Mon, Oct 5	1.9 to 2.1 ft	1.1 ft at 9 s from the south-southeast	0.7 ft	12 s

Every 6 hours

Heights in feet, periods in seconds, directions the waves come from. Times are local.
Time	Waves	Peak period	Primary swell	Secondary swell	Wind waves
Tue, Sep 29
11:00 AM	3.4 ft	15 s W	2.4 ft 7 s W	1.5 ft 13 s WNW	None
5:00 PM	4.0 ft	15 s W	1.8 ft 8 s WNW	1.5 ft 11 s WNW	1.9 ft 3 s W
11:00 PM	3.5 ft	14 s W	2.1 ft 9 s WNW	1.2 ft 9 s WNW	0.3 ft 2 s NW
Wed, Sep 30
5:00 AM	3.7 ft	12 s W	3.4 ft 7 s W	0.9 ft 11 s SSW	None
11:00 AM	3.5 ft	11 s W	3.3 ft 7 s W	0.6 ft 13 s SSW	None
5:00 PM	3.2 ft	11 s W	2.8 ft 8 s W	1.0 ft 10 s W	None
11:00 PM	3.1 ft	11 s W	2.8 ft 7 s W	0.9 ft 10 s SSW	None
Thu, Oct 1
5:00 AM	3.1 ft	11 s W	2.9 ft 7 s W	0.8 ft 10 s SSW	None
11:00 AM	2.8 ft	11 s W	2.6 ft 7 s W	0.8 ft 11 s SSW	None
5:00 PM	2.6 ft	11 s W	2.2 ft 7 s W	0.9 ft 10 s SSW	0.6 ft 2 s W
11:00 PM	2.4 ft	11 s W	2.0 ft 7 s W	0.9 ft 9 s WSW	None
Fri, Oct 2
5:00 AM	2.4 ft	11 s W	2.2 ft 6 s W	0.8 ft 10 s SSW	None
11:00 AM	2.2 ft	10 s W	1.9 ft 6 s W	0.8 ft 9 s SSW	None
5:00 PM	2.3 ft	10 s W	1.8 ft 6 s W	0.7 ft 10 s S	0.9 ft 2 s W
11:00 PM	2.4 ft	10 s W	1.7 ft 4 s W	1.3 ft 8 s WNW	None
Sat, Oct 3
5:00 AM	2.1 ft	10 s W	1.4 ft 7 s W	1.0 ft 6 s W	None
11:00 AM	1.9 ft	10 s W	1.5 ft 7 s W	0.7 ft 10 s SSE	None
5:00 PM	2.0 ft	10 s W	1.4 ft 6 s W	0.6 ft 11 s SSE	0.5 ft 2 s W
11:00 PM	1.9 ft	11 s W	1.0 ft 7 s W	0.8 ft 9 s W	None
Sun, Oct 4
5:00 AM	1.8 ft	11 s W	0.8 ft 8 s WNW	0.6 ft 11 s SSE	None
11:00 AM	1.7 ft	11 s WSW	1.0 ft 6 s WNW	0.7 ft 11 s SSE	0.2 ft 1 s WSW
5:00 PM	1.8 ft	13 s WSW	0.9 ft 6 s WNW	0.7 ft 11 s SSE	0.6 ft 1 s WSW
11:00 PM	2.0 ft	13 s WSW	1.4 ft 5 s W	0.8 ft 11 s SSE	None
Mon, Oct 5
5:00 AM	2.0 ft	12 s WSW	1.3 ft 5 s W	0.9 ft 10 s SSE	None
11:00 AM	1.9 ft	11 s SW	1.1 ft 9 s SSE	0.7 ft 11 s SW	None
5:00 PM	2.0 ft	11 s SW	1.2 ft 9 s SSE	0.7 ft 11 s SW	0.7 ft 2 s W
11:00 PM	2.1 ft	11 s WSW	1.3 ft 8 s WSW	0.7 ft 11 s S	None
Tue, Oct 6
5:00 AM	2.0 ft	11 s WSW	1.1 ft 8 s SSE	0.8 ft 11 s SSW	None
11:00 AM	1.9 ft	13 s SW	1.0 ft 10 s S	0.9 ft 9 s SSE	None
5:00 PM	2.0 ft	12 s SW	1.1 ft 11 s S	0.8 ft 8 s W	0.5 ft 1 s W
11:00 PM	2.1 ft	12 s SW	1.3 ft 10 s S	0.6 ft 11 s WNW	None
Wed, Oct 7
5:00 AM	2.2 ft	12 s SW	1.4 ft 9 s S	0.7 ft 12 s WNW	None
11:00 AM	2.2 ft	12 s SW	1.4 ft 9 s S	0.8 ft 11 s WNW	None
5:00 PM	2.2 ft	11 s WSW	1.2 ft 9 s S	0.7 ft 12 s WNW	0.5 ft 1 s W
11:00 PM	2.5 ft	12 s WSW	1.0 ft 8 s S	0.8 ft 12 s S	0.3 ft 1 s WNW
Thu, Oct 8
5:00 AM	2.5 ft	12 s WSW	1.1 ft 10 s WNW	1.0 ft 10 s S	None
11:00 AM	2.5 ft	12 s WSW	1.2 ft 10 s SW	1.0 ft 11 s WSW	None
5:00 PM	2.6 ft	11 s WSW	1.3 ft 10 s S	1.0 ft 11 s WNW	0.5 ft 1 s WSW

Wave height is the significant height, the average of the highest third of the waves. Swell is the long-period energy raised by distant storms; wind waves are the short chop raised by the local wind. A longer period carries more energy and breaks bigger on the sand. Offshore model heights read larger than the surf at a sheltered beach.

Tides today

Santa Barbara, 2.1 mi away. Feet above mean lower low water.

Low tide5:02 AM1.8 ft
High tide11:21 AM6.1 ft
Low tide6:29 PM0.1 ft

Low tide often exposes the sandbars and channels that shape rip currents, and the risk can run higher for an hour or two either side of it. Full tide table for Santa Barbara.

Sun and daylight

Sunrise today: 6:52 AM
Sunset today: 6:46 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 6:53 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 6:44 PM

Times are Pacific Daylight Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the rip current risk does not fall with the light.

What this means

The three levels the National Weather Service issues, and what to do at each.

High	Life-threatening rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water.
Moderate	Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.
Low	Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard.

If a rip current carries you out

Do not fight the current. It pulls you away from the beach, not under the water.
Stay calm and keep your head above water. Float or tread water until the pull eases.
Swim parallel to the beach, along the shore, until you are out of the current, then angle in toward the beach.
If you cannot escape, face the shore, wave your arms and call for help.
If someone else is caught, do not go in after them. Get a lifeguard, call 911, and throw them something that floats.

Thunderstorms and lightning

No thunderstorms are in the forecast today. Water and open sand leave you the tallest thing around. When thunder roars, go indoors: leave the water and the beach for a building or a hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back.

A rip current is a narrow stream of water flowing away from the beach, through the surf and past the breakers. It pulls swimmers out, not under. Rip current and lightning safety guidance from the National Weather Service.

Nearby

The stretches of shore the National Weather Service forecasts on either side of this one.

More for this place

Sources

Rip current risk, surf, water temperature and UV from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast and beach forecast, office LOX, issued 142 PM PDT, 9/29/2026. Original at NWS. Waves and water temperature measured by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Swell forecast: E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information (global wave analysis and forecast, Météo-France MFWAM). Tides from NOAA CO-OPS. Alerts from the National Weather Service for zone CAZ350.