Santa Barbara County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Hammonds Reef, Santa Barbara County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Consistent 2-3ft surf through the day on WSW swell at 8s with glassy conditions.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on WSW swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light winds out of the SW.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 15s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light winds out of the ESE.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Morning kicks off with 1-2ft on WSW swell at 4s. Expect 9mph WSW winds by the afternoon.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Hammonds Reef is a solid reef break located along Santa Barbara County's scenic coastline, offering consistent waves when Southern California swell pulses through the region. The reef bottom creates well-defined peaks and a peeling wave face that rewards surfers with good positioning and reef knowledge. Best suited for intermediate surfers, this spot fires during fall and winter swells while maintaining shape through most conditions thanks to its protected reef structure.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Hammonds Reef is 2-3ft with a 17.6s swell period. Wind is SSW at 5mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Hammonds Reef is 2-3ft, produced by a 1ft WSW primary swell at 6s, a 0.7ft W secondary swell at 9s, a 0.4ft SW tertiary swell at 16s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Hammonds Reef is Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 3ft waves, a 17.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Hammonds Reef works best with a S swell and NE winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Hammonds Reef. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Hammonds Reef is a reef with a reef bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Hammonds Reef is a solid reef break located along Santa Barbara County's scenic coastline, offering consistent waves when Southern California swell pulses through the region. The reef bottom creates well-defined peaks and a peeling wave face that rewards surfers with good positioning and reef knowledge. Best suited for intermediate surfers, this spot fires during fall and winter swells while maintaining shape through most conditions thanks to its protected reef structure.
The prime season at Hammonds Reef is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Hammonds Reef include reef, sharp rocks, strong currents, sea urchins. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Hammonds Reef forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
