Santa Barbara water temperature

Typically about 65° in August — refreshing.

from a buoy in the Santa Barbara Channel, about 15 miles away

refreshing

bath-warm 80° and up perfect 72–79° refreshing 65–71° brisk below 65° 65° typical for August

The year at a glance

Rarely reaches swimmable temperatures.

40° 50° 60° 70° 80° 66° 55° JFMAMJJASOND January: typically 58° — brisk February: typically 57° — brisk March: typically 55° — brisk April: typically 55° — brisk May: typically 58° — brisk June: typically 61° — brisk July: typically 62° — brisk August: typically 65° — refreshing September: typically 66° — refreshing October: typically 64° — brisk November: typically 62° — brisk December: typically 60° — brisk

Month by month

Month Typical Feels
January 58° brisk
February 57° brisk
March 55° brisk
April 55° brisk
May 58° brisk
June 61° brisk
July 62° brisk
August 65° refreshing
September 66° refreshing
October 64° brisk
November 62° brisk
December 60° brisk

About this reading

The reading comes from a buoy in the Santa Barbara Channel riding about 15 miles out; the surf zone usually reads close to it, though sun-warmed shallows can run warmer on calm afternoons.

Reading from a buoy in the Santa Barbara Channel, about 15 miles away.

Warm water says nothing about surf, rip currents, or bacteria — check local lifeguard flags and advisories.