Santa Barbara County, California
A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light winds out of the SW.
A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light winds out of the SW.
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Tajiguas for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Tajiguas, 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.
Thu, Sep 3: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with gentle SW breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 20mph by PM.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on SSW swell at 18s with 15mph N winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on SSW swell at 16s with gentle NNW breeze. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on SSW swell at 15s with 7mph from the NNW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on S swell at 13s and 9mph NNW winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when Tajiguas turns Good.
Check Tajiguas from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Tajiguas is a mellow beach break along the central Santa Barbara County coast, offering forgiving, rolling waves ideal for learners and cruisy surfers. The sandy bottom and consistent beach break shape make it accessible during various swell directions, particularly when west-facing swells wrap around the coastline. This relatively uncrowded gem provides a laid-back vibe away from the busier Santa Barbara breaks, making it a perfect spot to practice fundamentals or enjoy a peaceful session.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Tajiguas is 0-1ft with a 4.2s swell period. Wind is SW at 6mph. 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 Tajiguas is 0-1ft, produced by a 2.2ft W wind swell swell at 4s, a 1.1ft SSW secondary swell at 11s, a 1ft SW tertiary swell at 15s, a 0.9ft SSW tertiary swell at 19s. 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 Tajiguas is Sunday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 1ft waves, a 14.6s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Tajiguas works best with a W swell and E 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 Tajiguas. 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.
Tajiguas is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Tajiguas is a mellow beach break along the central Santa Barbara County coast, offering forgiving, rolling waves ideal for learners and cruisy surfers. The sandy bottom and consistent beach break shape make it accessible during various swell directions, particularly when west-facing swells wrap around the coastline. This relatively uncrowded gem provides a laid-back vibe away from the busier Santa Barbara breaks, making it a perfect spot to practice fundamentals or enjoy a peaceful session.
The prime season at Tajiguas 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 Tajiguas include occasional rip currents, sharp rocks in nearshore area during low tide. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Tajiguas 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
