Santa Barbara County, California
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.
Sun, May 10: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light ESE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with barely a breath of wind. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 7mph.
Tue, May 12: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light W winds.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 14s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light winds out of the SE.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 13s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 26mph out of the NW.
13s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 1-2ft with a 13.25s swell period. Wind is S at 3mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Skunk Point is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.4ft WNW primary swell at 8s, a 1.4ft WNW secondary swell at 13s, a 1ft SW tertiary swell at 18s. 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 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 12.55s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
