The Surf Window

Rincon

Santa Barbara, USA

Point breakIntermediate

The "Queen of the Coast", Rincon is a world-class right-hand point break that threads three sections of perfect, peeling wall along a cobblestone point in Santa Barbara County.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size3-8ft

Wind

NE

Offshore

Tide

Mid

LowMidHigh

Season

October–March

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Right

Bottom

Cobblestone and sand

Shape

Three linking sections (Indicator, Cove, River Mouth), long, smooth walls built for drawn-out carves

Length

200–400m on a quality swell

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Intermediate (accessible), advanced to fully connect sections
  • •Why: The wave is long and forgiving in shape, but the crowd is fierce and reading the current takes experience.

Hazards

  • •Extremely competitive lineup, one of California's most crowded waves
  • •Cobblestone reef (ankle-twisting on entry/exit)
  • •Strong rip when big

Local Tips

  • •Rincon only fires 5–10 times per winter on the right swell, arrive very early on forecast days.
  • •The Cove section is the most accessible; the Indicator peak is for advanced surfers only on solid swells.

Location

Map showing the location of Rincon in Santa Barbara, USA

34.3726, -119.4780