The sky over Santa Barbara County is clear with mild coastal temperatures and light northwest to west winds this morning, producing comfortable conditions for shoreline activity and small-craft operations. [web:2]
Marine conditions near Santa Barbara buoy 46054 show a significant wave height around 3.0 ft with the swell component about 3.0 ft and an average wave period near 6.5–8 seconds, indicating mainly short to moderate-period NW swell energy with locally generated wind waves adding about 1 ft. [web:8][web:11]
Average surfable wave sizes along the county are generally in the knee to waist range (roughly 2–3 ft faces), with occasional sets influenced by the NW swell pushing slightly larger at exposed points. [web:11]
Recent buoy direction and period: dominant swell direction is from the NW, swell period about 8–8.3 seconds at the offshore West Santa Barbara buoy, and average wave period (APD) near 6.5 seconds. These readings point to a mixed short-period swell regime with northwest energy predominating. [web:11]
Brief tide info for Santa Barbara (NOAA station 9411340): next low and high tides today include a low near early afternoon around 1:52 PM (about 2.49 ft) and a high this evening near 8:25 PM (about 7.11 ft); earlier tidal swings today were a morning high near 9:51 AM (~3.63 ft) and an early low around 3:12 AM (~-1.24 ft). Check NOAA tide predictions for precise times at specific beaches. [page:1][web:4]
Marine hazards: small craft should note variable short period wind waves from the WNW/NNW with gusty onshore components at exposed headlands; rip currents remain possible where waves break on sandbars during the afternoon high tide. [web:11]
This report was compiled from NOAA buoy and tide products and local observations to present a concise narrative of current conditions for surfing, boating, and coastal recreation. [web:11][page:1]