Leadbetter Beach Surf Forecast, Santa Barbara County, California
Santa Barbara County, California
Current Conditions
Very PoorWave Height
0-1ft
flat to ankle high
Swell Period
14.35s
Wind
7mph
W / Gusts 10mph
Conditions
Very Poor
Active Swells
Primary
0.5ft @ 2sSE
Secondary
0.5ft @ 14sSW
Tertiary
0.3ft @ 10sSSE
Daily Forecast
3 of 5 daysTue, Mar 310-1ft
Very Poor6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 10-1ft
Very PoorSlim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light WNW winds.
6am9am12pm3pm
11s SW|5-7mph WNW
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
PoorNot the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate WNW wind around 11mph.
6am9am12pm3pm
5s WSW|7-11mph W
Forecast Charts
Leadbetter Beach Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
W
Best Wind
E
Season
Fall
Leadbetter Beach is a long, sandy stretch on Santa Barbara's eastern waterfront that catches consistent wave energy from westerly Pacific swells. The NNW-facing orientation creates a forgiving beach break ideal for learning, with gentle rolling waves that peel predictably across the sandy bottom. Protected somewhat from the strongest winter storms by its geographic position, this spot offers a more mellow alternative to harder-breaking Santa Barbara County beaches.
Crowded summersStrong rip currents during large swells
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
Leadbetter Beach Surf Forecast FAQ
What is the current surf forecast for Leadbetter Beach?
The current wave height at Leadbetter Beach is 0-1ft with a 14.35s swell period. Wind is W at 7mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor.
How accurate is the Leadbetter Beach surf forecast?
Our Leadbetter Beach 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.
What is the breaking wave height at Leadbetter Beach?
The current breaking wave height at Leadbetter Beach is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.5ft SE primary swell at 2s, a 0.5ft SW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.3ft SSE tertiary swell at 10s. 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.
When is the best time to surf Leadbetter Beach?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Leadbetter Beach is Thursday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 2ft waves, a 5.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.