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.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor with 20mph NW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 37mph.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 12s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 3-4ft and poor conditions with 26mph NNW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 35mph.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 12s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on WNW swell at 12s and light winds out of the E. Onshore flow builds through the day to 18mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 7mph SE winds.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light ESE winds.
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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 2-3ft with a 9.55s swell period. Wind is NNW at 18mph 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 2-3ft, produced by a 3.3ft WNW primary swell at 10s, a 1.3ft S secondary swell at 13s, a 0.7ft WNW tertiary swell at 16s, a 3.4ft WNW wind swell swell at 6s. 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 Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 11.85s swell period, and conditions rated 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
