Surf Forecasts:
Campus Point surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with 191 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Campus Point this week:
The surf forecast for Campus Point over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Campus Point in the next 16 days are 0.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Campus Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on offer for Campus Point over the next couple of weeks.
First up, the water temp is a full 7° warmer than usual for this time of year, sitting at 70°. That’s very unusual, so you can leave the thick rubber at home. The first few days are pretty flat and average, but we do get a little window of clean fun-sized waves mid-week.
Things start off small on Monday the 17th with a weak 2ft SSW swell and a moderate cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is only 220 (weak), so it's not going to bowl you over, but it’s surfable. Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th are where it gets a bit better. The swell drops to around 1-2ft, still from the SSW, but the period stretches out to 15-16 seconds. That's proper groundswell energy, and with light cross-offshore winds, Campus Point will be clean and lined up. The combined energy bumps up into the 280-298 range (moderate), so there's enough push for a longboard or a funboard. These two days are the pick of the first week.
Thursday the 20th morning looks a bit scrappy with light cross-shore wind, but by the afternoon it goes glassy – absolutely dead calm. That's a major positive. Even with only 2ft of SSW swell (211 moderate energy), a glassy surface at Campus Point makes for some silky, cruisy waves.
Friday the 21st through to Sunday the 23rd sees the swell shift around to the WNW, with heights between 1ft and 3ft. The periods drop to 8-11 seconds on the weekend, so it loses that groundswell grunt. Winds stay cross-offshore, keeping it clean, but the energy is weak to moderate (147-226). It’s not bad, just ordinary.
Now, looking into the second week, there’s a notable spike around Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th of August. Swell holds at a consistent 2ft from the SW (16-18 second period) and the combined energy jumps right up into the 477-627 range (strong). That’s the most oomph we see in the whole forecast. Winds are light and mainly cross-offshore, so expect clean conditions. This looks promising, but it's over a week away, so keep an eye on it. The Monday the 31st also looks clean with similar 2ft SSW swell and low energy in the 378-405 range, so that extends the run a bit.
Overall, there's a consistent run of clean, small waves at Campus Point, but nothing huge. The standout for the near-term is Tuesday 18th through Wednesday 19th for the cleanest, most lined-up groundswell.
Stay safe, and I'll catch you in the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 22°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
186 | 140 | 80 | 153 | 120 | 186 | 164 | 110 | 118 | 120 | 79 | 59 | 119 | 143 | 99 | 92 | 71 | 90 | 79 | 112 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 2:25AM1.33m | 2:22PM1.84m | 4:21AM1.20m | 3:14PM1.80m | 4:21PM1.79m | 8:37AM1.33m | 5:31PM1.81m | 8:55AM1.39m | 6:29PM1.88m | 9:13AM1.44m | 7:17PM1.97m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 8:36PM0.76m | 7:28AM0.97m | 10:00PM0.75m | 7:51AM1.12m | 11:30PM0.69m | 00:43AM0.59m | 10:39AM1.31m | 1:34AM0.49m | 12:14PM1.30m | 2:13AM0.40m | 1:10PM1.24m | 2:46AM0.33m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 |
Feels °C | 27 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SW 18 |
186 | 140 | 44 | 153 | 120 | 79 | 164 | 54 | 63 | 45 | 38 | 47 | 119 | 143 | 99 | 92 | 37 | 72 | 57 | 112 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | S 10 | S 16 | SW 13 | NW 15 | SSW 15 | S 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | WNW 9 | SSW 14 |
9 | 2 | 80 | 44 | 9 | 186 | 43 | 110 | 118 | 120 | 79 | 41 | 58 | 57 | 55 | 42 | 71 | 33 | 16 | 65 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 18 | SW 16 | S 9 | SW 19 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 13 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | WNW 9 |
25 | 6 | 67 | 2 | 15 | 20 | 18 | 31 | 31 | 46 | 55 | 59 | 30 | 30 | 50 | 28 | 37 | 90 | 79 | 16 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | W 4 | WNW 5 |
53 | 73 | 77 | 95 | 117 | — | 73 | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | 14 | 32 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 54 | 0 | 1 | 148 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Campus Point Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Campus Point provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Campus Point can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Campus Point surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Campus Point) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Campus Point may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Campus Point is 2 km (1 miles) from Isla Vista. If you plan a vacation in Santa Barbara, look for hotels and other accommodation in Isla Vista. Isla Vista has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











