Driftwoods surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 am Saturday 30 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
14.5° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Driftwoods surf forecast from 30 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 31 May, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 4 Jun, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with 503 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 30 May, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period with WNW 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 Saturday (May 30) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 22s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Driftwoods in the next 16 days are 0.9m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jun 04) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jun 02) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sat 30th May)5.5ft (1.7m) 6s
Best Surf 5AM (Sun 31st May)5ft (1.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 8PM (Thu 4th Jun)3ft (0.9m) 18s

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 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Friday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
1
2
3
2
0
2
1
0
2
1
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
WNW
14
1.9
WNW
6
0.4
SSW
22
1.3
WNW
10
1.4
WNW
11
0.8
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
0.7
SW
17
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
15
1.7
WNW
7
1.9
WNW
7
0.7
SSW
19
0.7
SSW
19
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
121
263
181
314
439
389
448
438
291
171
223
215
196
305
359
332
319
486
475
453
422
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
20
WNW
10
NNW
10
SW
15
W
5
N
10
SW
10
WSW
5
N
10
SW
15
W
10
NNW
10
SW
10
WNW
10
NNW
10
SW
10
SW
10
E
10
SSE
10
SW
0
N
cross-on
cross
cross-off
on
cross
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
glassy
High Tide
10:56AM1.46m
9:23PM2.14m
11:40AM1.45m
9:56PM2.13m
12:25PM1.43m
10:30PM2.10m
1:14PM1.41m
11:05PM2.04m
2:08PM1.40m
11:41PM1.97m
3:03PM1.41m
00:19AM1.87m
3:52PM1.46m
1:02AM1.75m
Low Tide
3:07PM1.15m
4:52AM0.22m
3:39PM1.18m
5:31AM0.23m
4:11PM1.22m
6:11AM0.26m
4:44PM1.25m
6:52AM0.31m
5:21PM1.29m
7:34AM0.37m
6:08PM1.33m
8:15AM0.43m
7:19PM1.36m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:48
5:48
5:48
5:48
5:48
5:47
5:47
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:05
8:06
8:06
8:07
8:07
8:07
8:08
Temp °C
23
25
18
24
26
21
23
24
21
23
25
20
23
27
19
22
23
20
21
21
17
21
22
15
22
24
18
22
23
21
21
22
17
21
25
16
21
22
20
21
20
18
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
WNW
14
0.4
SSW
14
1
WNW
8
1.3
WNW
10
0.7
SSW
20
1.3
WNW
11
1
WNW
11
0.8
WNW
11
0.7
SW
17
0.7
W
10
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
1
WNW
8
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SSW
18
1.2
WNW
8
0.7
SSW
19
0.9
SSW
18
1.2
WNW
9
1
W
8
1
WNW
9
Energy kJ
121
61
154
314
336
359
240
150
291
94
223
215
144
103
254
192
319
486
238
147
169
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
23
0.4
SSW
22
0.6
SSW
20
0.3
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
0.7
W
6
0.6
SSW
16
0.4
SSE
15
0.3
SSW
20
0.7
SSW
15
0.4
SSW
18
0.4
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
19
0.5
SW
16
0.2
SSE
13
0.9
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
Energy kJ
66
51
181
307
33
389
448
438
30
171
79
76
196
107
82
332
124
16
475
453
422
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SW
24
0.2
S
23
0.4
WNW
13
0.4
NW
12
0.3
SW
16
0.2
SSW
15
0.4
SSW
15
0.2
SSE
16
0.4
WNW
10
0.5
S
16
0.2
WNW
10
0.3
SSE
15
0.2
SSE
14
0.3
SSW
21
0.2
SSE
14
0.5
SW
16
0.4
WNW
11
0.1
NW
14
0.1
SE
12
0.3
WNW
11
0.2
SSE
12
Energy kJ
22
41
62
37
41
21
91
24
38
125
9
44
20
90
18
121
39
7
5
25
13
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
WNW
7
1.9
WNW
6
1.2
WNW
6
1.4
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
5
0.9
WNW
10
0.7
WNW
10
1.1
W
5
1.4
WNW
6
1.7
WNW
7
1.9
WNW
7
1.3
WNW
8
1.4
WNW
8
1.5
WNW
9
0.4
NW
2
0.8
WNW
8
Energy kJ
60
263
103
439
88
140
85
64
124
305
359
178
256
367
2
69
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
3
3
4
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
Distance (km)
8
42
0
156
7
0
47
8
0
157
42
0
42
1
0
150
8
0
128
8
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
4
3
4
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
4
3
4
4
4
2
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
7
6
5
5
4
4
5
5
4
5
4
4
5
4
5
4
4
4
5
9
  • 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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