Located in Santa Barbara in Southern California, Hammonds Reef is a quality right-hand reef break that runs over a boulder and sand bottom. The waves here can be pretty heavy (especially when it’s best in winter) and break for up to 150 meters, providing classic walls for turns, carves, and power hacks.
What are the best surf conditions for Hammonds Reef?
Gets good between waist high and triple overhead, it holds size well. We recommend a shortboard here due to the punchy sections, a step up when bigger. The surf here is best suited to intermediate and advanced surfers. It’s also very consistent especially in winter (8/10). However, this does lead to a crowded lineup (8/10). The best winds are from the Northeast. The best swells are from the West and Northwest. Works best on a mid-tide.
We recommend wearing a 3/2 wetsuit in the summer when water temperatures peak at 17 degrees. In the winter a 4/3 is recommended as water temperatures drop to a chilly 13 degrees. See the temperature chart below for more data on this.
