Driftwoods surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Saturday 23 May 2026 PDT
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
14.6° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Driftwoods this week:

The surf forecast for Driftwoods over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 24) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Driftwoods in the next 16 days are 1.3m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 27) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Saturday (May 30) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sun 24th May)1.5ft (0.5m) 16s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 27th May)5ft (1.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 27th May)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Driftwoods over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
Thursday
28
Friday
29
Sat
30
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
3
1
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
17
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
15
1.8
WNW
6
1.8
WNW
8
1.2
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
13
1.5
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
11
0.9
WNW
11
0.6
WNW
18
0.7
WNW
16
0.4
SSW
14
0.7
WNW
14
1.1
WNW
9
1.4
WNW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
124
110
104
103
144
200
164
246
240
412
227
572
531
303
194
209
229
75
186
211
287
Wind (km/h)
0
S
10
SW
15
WSW
5
NNW
10
SW
20
W
10
NNW
10
W
30
WNW
15
NW
15
W
15
WSW
5
NNW
10
SSW
10
WSW
10
N
10
SW
20
W
5
NNW
10
SW
20
WNW
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
High Tide
5:05AM1.59m
6:28PM1.88m
6:24AM1.51m
7:00PM1.96m
7:33AM1.47m
7:29PM2.03m
8:33AM1.46m
7:56PM2.08m
9:25AM1.46m
8:23PM2.11m
10:12AM1.46m
8:52PM2.13m
10:56AM1.46m
Low Tide
11:45PM1.04m
11:36AM0.56m
00:52AM0.85m
12:19PM0.69m
1:44AM0.67m
12:57PM0.82m
2:27AM0.51m
1:31PM0.93m
3:05AM0.38m
2:04PM1.02m
3:40AM0.29m
2:35PM1.09m
4:16AM0.24m
3:07PM1.15m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:50
5:50
5:50
5:50
5:50
5:48
5:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:00
8:00
8:01
8:01
8:02
8:04
8:04
8:05
Temp °C
14
18
19
15
19
20
16
19
20
14
17
18
14
17
18
16
20
23
19
23
25
13
17
17
14
17
17
13
16
15
9
13
13
12
15
15
13
18
19
16
21
23
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
17
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
1.5
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
11
0.9
WNW
11
0.6
WNW
18
0.7
WNW
16
0.7
NW
16
1.2
WNW
8
1.1
WNW
9
0.5
WNW
13
Energy kJ
124
110
104
103
144
200
164
246
240
167
160
115
531
303
194
209
229
251
155
211
98
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WNW
10
0.3
WNW
10
0.3
WNW
10
0.3
S
17
0.4
S
17
0.4
S
17
0.4
WNW
13
0.4
NW
12
0.1
NW
16
0.5
NW
14
0.5
NW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
14
0.7
WNW
14
0.6
WNW
14
0.3
SSW
14
Energy kJ
34
19
19
53
87
92
67
38
10
103
92
115
113
107
105
60
74
75
186
125
36
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
11
0.3
WNW
9
0.4
NW
15
0.4
NW
14
0.4
S
16
0.1
S
9
0.2
S
9
0.1
S
9
0.4
NW
14
0.4
NW
12
0.1
W
23
0.2
WNW
21
0.4
NW
20
0.4
WNW
18
0.4
WNW
10
0.2
WNW
10
0.4
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
23
Energy kJ
9
9
9
17
54
51
81
2
6
2
51
40
11
44
97
123
38
9
63
66
51
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
3
0.3
W
2
0.6
WNW
4
0.4
WNW
4
1.1
W
5
1
WNW
5
0.6
WNW
5
1.8
WNW
6
1.8
WNW
8
1.2
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
13
1.3
WNW
12
0.9
WNW
10
0.6
W
5
1.1
WNW
5
1.3
WNW
5
1.4
WNW
9
Energy kJ
1
1
11
4
51
40
20
229
412
227
572
421
176
17
69
83
287
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
3
2
2
2
7
3
2
2
3
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
Distance (km)
0
488
8
0
834
318
0
8
960
7
42
1157
0
157
8
0
318
336
0
42
94
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
2
2
3
4
2
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
3
3
4
2
9
7
3
2
4
4
3
2
4
2
3
4
3
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
4
4
9
9
8
7
7
6
6
9
8
9
5
5
4
5
5
  • 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 16 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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