Beach Hazard Warning Issued for Santa Barbara County Beaches

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a beach hazard statement on December 2, 2025, along the southwestern and southeastern coasts of Santa Barbara County, the Malibu coast, and Los Angeles County beaches. 

The beach hazard warning will remain in effect through Saturday morning, NWS said. 

Elevated surf is expected to result in dangerous rip currents and breaking waves, according to the advisory. 

Minor tidal overflows are expected every day from 4 a.m. to 12 p.m. through Saturday. Elevated surf will be at its highest Tuesday through Thursday, NWS said. 

Increased Risk Due to Rip Currents

The advisory warned residents and visitors of an increased risk of drowning at the ocean. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. 

The high waves can wash people off rocks and beaches, and can potentially capsize small boats near the shore, NWS warned. 

The weather office advised beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers to stay out of the water, as hazardous swimming conditions are expected during the advisory period. 

Those venturing near the water are encouraged to stay near staffed lifeguard towers. 

NWS advised beachgoers to stay off rocks as rock jetties can be deadly in such extreme weather conditions. 

What are Rip Currents?

Rip currents are powerful, “channeled” currents of water that flow away from the shore, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Rip currents can happen at any beach with breaking waves. 

Commonly referred to as ‘drowning machines’ by lifeguards, rip currents are the leading cause of rescues for people in the surf and can be dangerous for weak or non-swimmers. 

Rip currents represent more than 80% of rescues by surf beach lifeguards.

Rip current speeds are usually 1-2 feet per second, but speeds as elevated as 8 feet per second have also been recorded, according to NOAA. 

Citing the United States Lifesaving Association, NOAA said that more than 100 people lose their lives due to rip currents across the country every year.   

A rip current has very subtle signs, but they can be spotted, particularly from higher vantage points, according to NOAA. Sometimes, water seems to flow away from the beach, driven by stronger rip currents. 

Some of the clues include: 

• A narrow gap of darker, calm water surrounded by breaking waves and white water.
• A channel of choppy water.
• A difference in the color of water, such as a muddy-appearing section of water. 
• A consistent area of foam or seaweed being carried through the surf.