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Surf Forecasts:
El Capitan surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA
Forecast update in hr min s Forecast update imminent
El Capitan surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's El Capitan sea temperature is
14.8° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)El Capitan surf forecast from 27 May 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 30 May, 11PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 13s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 30 May, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 13s period, WNW swell with 1,427 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 27 May, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Capitan this week:
The surf forecast for El Capitan over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 27) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 1.2m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Capitan in the next 16 days are 2.1m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 30) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jun 02) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 27th May) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 30th May) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 30th May) | 7ft (2.1m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Capitan over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 27 | Thursday 28 | Friday 29 | Saturday 30 | Sunday 31 | Monday 1 | Tuesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 20 | NW 18 | NW 16 | WNW 16 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 8 | SSW 20 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | |
805 | 812 | 530 | 270 | 253 | 455 | 587 | 499 | 437 | 229 | 1264 | 525 | 346 | 737 | 615 | 651 | 637 | 432 | 402 | 392 | 476 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | |
High Tide | 8:35AM1.45m | 7:57PM2.07m | 9:27AM1.46m | 8:25PM2.11m | 10:14AM1.46m | 8:53PM2.13m | 10:59AM1.46m | 9:24PM2.13m | 11:42AM1.45m | 9:57PM2.12m | 12:28PM1.43m | 10:32PM2.09m | 1:17PM1.41m | 11:07PM2.04m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:32PM0.94m | 3:07AM0.39m | 2:05PM1.03m | 3:42AM0.29m | 2:37PM1.10m | 4:17AM0.24m | 3:09PM1.15m | 4:54AM0.22m | 3:41PM1.19m | 5:32AM0.23m | 4:13PM1.22m | 6:13AM0.26m | 4:46PM1.26m | ||||||||
5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
— | 8:04 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | |
— | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 22 | 16 | 24 | 27 | 16 | 26 | 25 | 18 | 24 | 27 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 21 |
15 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 12 | 22 | 23 | 13 | 24 | 23 | 14 | 22 | 25 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 18 | |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 13 | SSW 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | NW 16 | WNW 16 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 22 | WNW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | WNW 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
805 | 229 | 530 | 270 | 202 | 163 | 587 | 499 | 437 | 229 | 69 | 181 | 193 | 485 | 531 | 274 | 637 | 432 | 402 | 392 | 310 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | NW 18 | WNW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 23 | SSW 18 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSE 16 | SSW 13 | NW 10 | SSE 15 | SW 20 |
233 | 2 | 173 | 143 | 143 | 455 | 128 | 147 | 105 | 111 | 130 | 121 | 346 | 102 | 54 | 651 | 24 | 66 | 25 | 42 | 98 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | NW 23 | WNW 21 | WNW 20 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | S 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSE 16 | S 9 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SW 22 | SSE 14 |
2 | 2 | 21 | 175 | 253 | 141 | 145 | 9 | 37 | 34 | 62 | 65 | 103 | 33 | 28 | 26 | 2 | 44 | 22 | 18 | 40 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | — | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 |
— | 812 | — | — | — | — | — | 66 | 105 | 118 | 1264 | 525 | 311 | 737 | 615 | — | 320 | 269 | 123 | 158 | 476 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 17 | 329 | 0 | 166 | 0 | 0 | 326 | 329 | 0 | 17 | 51 | 0 | 165 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 9 | 0 | 51 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Capitan Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Capitan provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Capitan can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Capitan 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 (El Capitan) 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 El Capitan 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.
El Capitan is 16 km (10 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.











