Surf Forecasts:
Driftwoods surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SSW swell with 373 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period with SW swell.
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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Driftwoods in the next 16 days are 0.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Driftwoods over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
125 | 122 | 160 | 154 | 104 | 180 | 240 | 232 | 295 | 318 | 273 | 191 | 186 | 186 | 186 | 181 | 184 | 250 | 151 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:58PM2.34m | 11:20AM1.78m | 10:45PM2.20m | 11:54AM1.84m | 11:32PM2.00m | 12:29PM1.88m | 00:20AM1.77m | 1:03PM1.89m | 1:15AM1.53m | 1:40PM1.88m | 2:25AM1.33m | 2:22PM1.84m | 4:21AM1.20m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:56AM0.04m | 4:41PM0.80m | 5:30AM0.19m | 5:33PM0.75m | 6:03AM0.37m | 6:28PM0.74m | 6:34AM0.58m | 7:27PM0.75m | 7:02AM0.78m | 8:36PM0.76m | 7:28AM0.97m | 10:00PM0.75m | |||||||
— | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 25 | 26 | 22 | 26 | 28 | 24 | 30 | 33 | 26 | 32 | 32 | 27 |
Feels °C | 19 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 22 | 29 | 32 | 24 | 31 | 31 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 |
125 | 122 | 160 | 154 | 104 | 180 | 240 | 232 | 295 | 318 | 273 | 191 | 186 | 186 | 186 | 140 | 45 | 90 | 151 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 | SW 13 | SSW 14 |
24 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 140 | 100 | 45 | 44 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 45 | 44 | 120 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 20 | SW 18 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | WNW 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 16 | S 9 | SW 19 |
21 | 21 | 19 | 75 | 87 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 42 | 2 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | 9 | 14 | 12 | 35 | 33 | 22 | 66 | 80 | 62 | 122 | 181 | 184 | 250 | 71 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 68 | 318 | 0 | 48 | 8 | 0 | 318 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 157 | 8 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











