Santa Barbara County, California
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Skunk Point for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Skunk Point, 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.
Wed, Jun 24: 2–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Afternoon is the play — morning is only poor at 2ft. Things come together by the afternoon with 1-2ft at poor.
Thu, Jun 25: 2–2ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2ft waves on SSW swell at 16s with 8mph NW winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Fri, Jun 26: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and very poor conditions with 17mph out of the NNW.
Sat, Jun 27: 1–1ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and very poor with strong NW wind at 25mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 29mph by PM.
Sun, Jun 28: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly very poor with strong NNW wind at 18mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 25mph.
Skunk Point is a rocky point break located along Santa Barbara County's rugged coastline, where consistent SSW swells wrap around the headland to create well-defined, peeling waves. The break benefits from a natural point formation that offers multiple takeoff zones and varying wave heights depending on swell angle and tide, making it a quality option for intermediate surfers seeking less crowded conditions. The rocky bottom and surrounding cliffs create a scenic, somewhat isolated setting that rarely gets overrun despite producing quality, shapely waves.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Skunk Point is 1ft with a 16.65s swell period. Wind is NW at 11mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Skunk Point is 1ft, produced by a 1.6ft S primary swell at 17s, a 0.9ft SW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.9ft SSW tertiary swell at 17s, a 1.8ft WNW wind swell swell at 3s. 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 Skunk Point is Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 2ft waves, a 15.35s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Skunk Point works best with a NNE swell and SSW 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 Skunk Point. 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.
Skunk Point is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Skunk Point is a rocky point break located along Santa Barbara County's rugged coastline, where consistent SSW swells wrap around the headland to create well-defined, peeling waves. The break benefits from a natural point formation that offers multiple takeoff zones and varying wave heights depending on swell angle and tide, making it a quality option for intermediate surfers seeking less crowded conditions. The rocky bottom and surrounding cliffs create a scenic, somewhat isolated setting that rarely gets overrun despite producing quality, shapely waves.
The prime season at Skunk Point 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 Skunk Point include rocks, sharp reef, strong currents, isolated location. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Skunk Point 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
