Carpinteria’s Tarpits is a fickle, semi-closed beach/reef break at the south end of Carpinteria State Beach that flashes fun, punchy peaks when rivermouth sandbanks line up. Get the latest surfing conditions, forecast, and tide details for Tarpits in California.
Live updates:
Lineup Insights
The Wave
Best windows are west-southwest to west groundswells with light NE offshore breeze and a rising-to-mid tide that tends to groom the sandbars.
Check the live tide windows in the app to time your session perfectly.
Lineup Guide
Tar balls, a shallow sand-and-rock bottom and a small rivermouth make the lineup changeable and raise consequence on steeper takeoffs.
Respect the local peak and watch for submerged hazards during lower tidal stages.
Get the full picture in WaveWise.
Stop guessing and start surfing. WaveWise analyzes live data to find your best upcoming sessions so you spend less time planning and more time paddling out.


