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Tarantulas 79.3
#1935 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇺🇸 United States of America · California · near Santa Maria
Works almost every day, no off season.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score79.3 /100
Surfable days100% of the year
Clean days25% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell60% period 11 s+
Typical size1.6 m 5.4 ft median
Water15°C a 4/3 with boots
Best time to surf Tarantulas
The best time to surf Tarantulas is January, November, December. The season runs Nov to Jan. In November the water sits around 16°C, so pack a 3/2 wetsuit, and the typical wave is 1.6 m. The nearest airport is SBA (61 km) and the nearest town is Santa Maria (50 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 98% | 44% | 2.2 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Feb | 99% | 25% | 1.9 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Mar | 100% | 26% | 1.8 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Apr | 100% | 4% | 1.8 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| May | 100% | 12% | 1.9 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| Jun | 100% | 11% | 1.5 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Jul | 100% | 9% | 1.4 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Aug | 100% | 16% | 1.3 m | 17°C | 3/2 |
| Sep | 100% | 27% | 1.4 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Oct | 100% | 37% | 1.5 m | 16°C | 3/2 |
| Nov | 99% | 51% | 1.6 m | 16°C | 3/2 |
| Dec | 99% | 47% | 2.0 m | 16°C | 3/2 |
Why 79.3
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
14.7
Groundswell 12%
12.0
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
4.8
Water comfort 10%
1.7
Access 10%
8.1
The detail
Faces 240° with 53% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 41% of days. Mean peak period 11.7 s. Days over 3 m: 4%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 15%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates 34.495, -120.496 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Jalama🇺🇸 United States of America · score 79.2Whitey's🇺🇸 United States of America · score 89.0Del Morida🇺🇸 United States of America · score 88.9Boat House🇺🇸 United States of America · score 88.5
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