El Capitan Surf Report & Forecast
California
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Current Surf Conditions at El Capitan
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Last Updated:19h ago
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🌊 Surf Quality Timeline (Week)
Best windows in greenThu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
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🌊 Surf Quality Timeline
Best windows in green12AM6AM12PM6PM11PM
🌬️ WIND
N
E
S
W
4
kt
kt
🌊 SWELL
N
E
S
W
2.2
ft
ft
SWELL
HEIGHT
HEIGHT
2.2ft
SWELL
PERIOD
PERIOD
10s
WIND GUSTS
3kt
AIR TEMP
28°C
SECONDARY
SWELL
SWELL
1.2ft @
11s
11s
PRECIPITATION
0mm
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📊 7-Day Detailed Forecast
Expandable daily forecasts with hourly details| Time | Quality | Swell Height | Period | Swell Dir | Wind Speed | Wind Dir | Gusts | Air Temp | Water Temp | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | GOOD | 1.8ft | 9s | WSW | 4kt | NNE | 3kt | 18°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 1:00 AM | EXCELLENT | 2.3ft | 8s | W | 3kt | NE | 3kt | 19°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 2:00 AM | EXCELLENT | 2.7ft | 7s | W | 3kt | ENE | 3kt | 19°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 3:00 AM | EXCELLENT | 2.6ft | 7s | W | 3kt | NE | 3kt | 18°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 4:00 AM | EXCELLENT | 2.5ft | 7s | W | 2kt | NE | 2kt | 18°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 5:00 AM | EXCELLENT | 2.5ft | 7s | W | 2kt | NNE | 2kt | 18°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 6:00 AM | EXCELLENT | 2.4ft | 7s | W | 2kt | NE | 2kt | 19°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 7:00 AM | EXCELLENT | 2.4ft | 7s | W | 1kt | NE | 1kt | 21°C | 20°C | 0mm |
| 8:00 AM | EXCELLENT | 2.3ft | 8s | W | 1kt | NE | 1kt | 22°C | 20°C | 0mm |
| 9:00 AM | EXCELLENT | 2.2ft | 9s | W | 2kt | ESE | 2kt | 25°C | 20°C | 0mm |
| 10:00 AM | EXCELLENT | 2.2ft | 10s | WSW | 4kt | SSE | 3kt | 28°C | 20°C | 0mm |
| 11:00 AM | EXCELLENT | 2.1ft | 12s | WSW | 5kt | SW | 3kt | 31°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 12:00 PM | EXCELLENT | 2.1ft | 12s | WSW | 5kt | SSW | 3kt | 31°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 1:00 PM | EXCELLENT | 2.1ft | 12s | WSW | 6kt | SSW | 4kt | 31°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 2:00 PM | EXCELLENT | 2.1ft | 12s | WSW | 6kt | SSW | 4kt | 32°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 3:00 PM | GOOD | 1.8ft | 12s | WSW | 5kt | SSW | 4kt | 31°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 4:00 PM | GOOD | 1.6ft | 13s | WSW | 5kt | SW | 5kt | 30°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 5:00 PM | GOOD | 1.3ft | 13s | WSW | 4kt | SW | 5kt | 30°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 6:00 PM | GOOD | 1.3ft | 14s | WSW | 4kt | W | 5kt | 27°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 7:00 PM | GOOD | 1.2ft | 14s | SW | 4kt | NW | 4kt | 25°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 8:00 PM | GOOD | 1.2ft | 15s | SW | 4kt | N | 3kt | 23°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 9:00 PM | GOOD | 1.6ft | 12s | SW | 4kt | N | 3kt | 22°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 10:00 PM | EXCELLENT | 1.9ft | 10s | WSW | 4kt | NNE | 3kt | 22°C | 21°C | 0mm |
| 11:00 PM | EXCELLENT | 2.3ft | 8s | W | 4kt | NNE | 3kt | 22°C | 21°C | 0mm |
Friday
Sep 25GOOD8 excellent hours
🌊 1.0-2.3ft 💨 2-6kt 🌡️ 18-31°C
Saturday
Sep 26GOOD2 excellent hours
🌊 1.2-2.7ft 💨 1-5kt 🌡️ 19-31°C
Sunday
Sep 27EXCELLENT14 excellent hours
🌊 1.0-2.6ft 💨 2-5kt 🌡️ 18-30°C
Monday
Sep 28GOOD10 good hours
🌊 0.8-1.5ft 💨 2-9kt 🌡️ 16-31°C
Tuesday
Sep 29EXCELLENT16 excellent hours
🌊 1.1-3.5ft 💨 4-6kt 🌡️ 16-31°C
Wednesday
Sep 30EXCELLENT20 excellent hours
🌊 1.9-3.3ft 💨 3-6kt 🌡️ 20-35°C
Forecast Summary
Best Day:Check forecast for optimal conditions
Average Swell:1.9ft @ 11s
Wind Conditions:1-6kt NNE
Water Temperature:20-21°C
Local Knowledge & Surf Guide
Local Knowledge
El Capitan in Santa Barbara is a fairly exposed reef and point break known for inconsistent surf, with the best conditions typically occurring in Winter. It favors distant groundswells from the west combined with offshore winds from the north. The spot often gets crowded, and surfers should be cautious of rocks as a significant hazard. December is the prime month for consistent clean, rideable waves at El Capitan.
Best Swell Direction: S
Bottom Type: Reef
Location: County: Santa Barbara County | State: California | Country: United States | Road: El Capitan State Beach Road | Full Address: El Capitan State Beach Road, Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Ideal Conditions
This spot performs best under these specific conditions. Forecasts take these into account when rating surf quality.
Ideal Swell DirectionW
Ideal Wind DirectionN
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