Santa Barbara, Calif. – Early Tuesday morning the harbor saw a record‑breaking high tide of 8.01 feet, according to Waterfront Public Information Officer Angela Rodriguez. The surge, which peaked at 10:13 a.m., lifted gangways and dock pilings so high that boats appeared level with the parking lot.
What happened
Rodriguez described the scene: “Basically all the gangways, everything was raised, the boats were level with the ground level and it was interesting.” She captured photos near the travel‑lift pier as the water approached the eight‑foot mark.
Boat owners received advance emails from the waterfront office warning of the conditions. Kay Bohner, a local boat owner, said she checked her slip early and secured her vessel. Chris Rowland, who lives aboard a motorboat in Marine 2, noted that friends often invite him to stay over when weather looks risky, but he relies on the National Weather Service and NOAA tide graphs for guidance.
Why the tide was so high
The Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol and NOAA point to a combination of a Kelvin wave generated by the warm El Niño waters off the coast and a full moon. Both factors amplified the tidal range, causing the record reading.
Similar high‑tide challenges have been reported at the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, where tall‑masted sailboats sometimes get stuck under the Channel Islands Blvd. bridge.
Impact on the community
The elevated water covered most of the dock pilings and even reached homes that line the harbor. Holly Lohuis Summer, a staff member at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, said she had to detour around flooding near the Carpinteria salt marsh on her way to work.
Local residents are reminded to keep a safe distance from the water’s edge and not turn their backs on the waves. The current appears stronger than usual, and officials stress the importance of vigilance, especially as winter approaches.
What’s next
NOAA predicts a second high tide after midnight on Wednesday, followed by another peak around 10:53 a.m. The harbor patrol will continue monitoring conditions and issuing updates through the waterfront’s communication channels.
For real‑time tide predictions and safety information, visit the NOAA tide‑prediction site at tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov. The local news station will provide additional coverage of tonight’s high tide.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
