Driftwoods surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 pm Saturday 10 Jan 2026 PST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Driftwoods surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Driftwoods sea temperature is
15.7° C
(Which is 1.8°C warmer than normal for this time of year)
Nearby Cam: 9km away, Campus Point Surf Cam


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Driftwoods this week:

The surf forecast for Driftwoods over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jan 11) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Driftwoods in the next 12 days are 1.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 12) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jan 17) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sun 11th Jan)1.5ft (0.4m) 13s
Best Surf 4AM (Mon 12th Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 18s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 12th Jan)5ft (1.5m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Driftwoods over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Sat
17
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
3
2
3
3
1
2
2
2
3
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
WNW
0.4
WNW
0.5
WNW
0.9
WNW
1.5
WNW
1.4
WNW
1.3
WNW
1.3
WNW
1.2
WNW
1
WNW
0.9
WNW
0.9
WNW
1
WNW
1.3
WNW
1.2
WNW
1.1
WNW
1.1
W
1
W
0.9
WNW
0.8
WNW
0.4
WNW
Period(s) (?)131413181716161414131312161414131313131219
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)67779849012991016817687527372294267527734613458427355273198125
Wind
(km/h)
10
NNE
0
NE
5
W
5
NNE
0
NNE
5
W
5
NNE
5
SE
5
W
5
NNE
5
ESE
5
W
5
NNE
10
ESE
5
W
5
N
5
SE
5
W
10
NNE
5
SE
10
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offglassglassoffglasscross-
on
offglasscrossoffglassglassglasscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
glasscrossoffglasscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:01AM
1.83
5:48PM
1.20
4:46AM
1.88
7:20PM
1.26
5:29AM
1.93
8:13PM
1.33
6:11AM
2.00
8:48PM
1.39
6:50AM
2.07
9:18PM
1.42
7:28AM
2.14
9:45PM
1.45
8:04AM
2.20
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:41AM
0.76
9:34PM
1.09
12:35PM
0.61
10:36PM
1.18
1:17PM
0.47
11:36PM
1.22
1:54PM
0.36
12:27AM
1.22
2:28PM
0.26
1:09AM
1.19
3:01PM
0.19
1:47AM
1.16
3:33PM
0.14
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Sat
17
Sunrise-7:05--7:05--7:05--7:05--7:05--7:05--7:05-
Sunset--5:07--5:08--5:09--5:10--5:12--5:13--5:14
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C142018152120172320182422202322182322182221
Feels °C (?)111816121818152018142120182020162120151918
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Driftwoods Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Driftwoods provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Driftwoods can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Driftwoods 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 (Driftwoods) 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 Driftwoods 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.

Driftwoods is 7 km (4 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.

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