Campus Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright crew, Rusty here with a look at the next couple of weeks for us. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming, so let’s get into it.

The forecast kicks off on Thursday the 3rd of September, but honestly, it’s a flat start. We’re looking at tiny 1ft SSW swell with a long 18-second period, but the energy is weak (238) and the wind is a cross-off. It’s clean, but there’s nothing to ride. The water is a balmy 70°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s a nice surprise.

Friday the 4th sees a little more life. The morning is a bit of a write-off with a cross-shore breeze, but the afternoon picks up. By Friday afternoon, Campus Point (Santa Barbara) is looking at a clean 2ft SSW swell with a 16-second period. The energy is moderate (278) and the cross-off wind will keep it tidy. That’s a decent session for a longboard or a funboard. Saturday the 5th is similar – the morning has a light onshore bump, so skip it, but the afternoon cleans right up with another 3ft SSW swell. Again, cross-off wind and clean faces. Not huge, but it’s good, clean fun.

Sunday the 6th is ordinary. Tiny waves and sloppy conditions. Not worth paddling out.

Now, here’s the standout of the first week: Monday the 7th through to Wednesday the 9th. On Monday afternoon, the swell kicks up to 4ft from the S, with a 14-second period. The energy jumps to a solid 649 (moderate-to-strong), and we’ve got light cross-off wind. That’s proper surf. It holds through Tuesday with 4-4ft S swell and clean conditions, and into Wednesday with 3-4ft from the SSW. This is the best run of the period – consistent, clean, punchy waves. Campus Point will be handling it well. Crowds are possible here, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

Thursday the 10th is a write-off. Strong SE onshore wind and messy surf. Take the day off.

Friday the 11th has a brief window in the morning with a clean 2ft swell, but the afternoon gets blown out. Saturday the 12th is a wild card – we get a 5ft WNW swell but with a very short 6-second period. The energy is moderate (320), but that short period means it’ll be a bit weak and crumbly. It’s clean with cross-off wind, so it’s surfable, but it’s not going to have much push. More of a fun wave than a proper grinder.

After that, we drop into a quieter spell. From Sunday the 13th through Tuesday the 15th, everything is small and weak. We get bits of 2-3ft WNW swell, but it’s mostly cross-shore or onshore wind and the energy is low. Ordinary conditions, really. Nothing to get excited about.

Wednesday the 16th is flat again, with just a 0.7ft SSW swell and a very long 24-second period. The energy is weak (113). A glass-off in the afternoon, but there’s no wave to ride.

The second week sees a small uptick. Thursday the 17th has a clean 1ft SW swell with a very long 22-second period, and the energy jumps a bit (291). The wind is a light cross-off, but these long-period swells can be a bit tricky at a point break like Campus Point – they tend to wrap in nicely here, so it should still be rideable. It’s a promising little pulse but far off, so don’t bank on it entirely. Friday the 18th has a similar setup: 2ft SW swell, long 20-second period, and glassy or light cross-off conditions. Again, it’s clean and small, best for a log.

Overall, the clear winner is that run from Monday the 7th to Wednesday the 9th. That’s the best swell, best consistency, and cleanest wind of the whole outlook. Get in the water then. The rest is small and patchy, with a few clean windows for a cruisey session.

Rusty.

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