Surf Forecasts:
Isla Vista surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, SW swell with 261 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Isla Vista this week:
The surf forecast for Isla Vista over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Isla Vista in the next 16 days are 0.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 15s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Isla Vista over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. Water temp here at Isla Vista is running about 69°, which is way warmer than normal for this time of year—more than 3° above average, feels like a warm bath.
Looking ahead, the next 16 days are pretty flat and disappointing. There’s a long gap of tiny, crummy surf starting Wednesday July 29th running through the first week of August. Swell heights sit around 1 to 2 feet, mostly under 2 feet, with combined wave energy mostly weak, only occasionally touching moderate levels like 298 on Wednesday morning or 338 on Friday morning, but the quality is poor.
Winds are mostly light onshore or cross-onshore, just enough to mess up any chance of clean faces. Swell direction stays from the SSW or SW with some longer period groundswell up to 16 seconds Wednesday morning, but no height to work with. By Saturday August 1st, it switches to a short period WNW swell around 8 seconds—tiny and weak.
Honestly, there’s no standout day. The closest to anything worth looking at is Thursday August 13th, over two weeks out, where the swell picks up to about 5 feet from the WNW but with only 6 seconds period and cross-onshore winds. The combined energy hits 351, the highest in the whole forecast, but it’ll be choppy and sloppy. At that size, it’s not for beginners, but for experts it’s still messy.
With these conditions, this stretch looks way more promising for kite surfing than paddle surfing if you’re after any action. But hang in there—this spot usually doesn’t stay flat for long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 206 | 226 | 164 | 204 | 144 | 181 | 161 | 148 | 116 | 112 | 109 | 166 | 177 | 177 | 169 | 110 | 113 | 118 | 86 | 32 | 71 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 11:22AM1.52m | 10:03PM2.15m | 11:48AM1.56m | 10:37PM2.09m | 12:14PM1.60m | 11:12PM1.97m | 12:40PM1.66m | 11:50PM1.82m | 1:08PM1.72m | 00:33AM1.63m | 1:39PM1.79m | 1:30AM1.44m | 2:17PM1.85m | 2:54AM1.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:54PM1.07m | 5:16AM0.22m | 4:33PM1.04m | 5:43AM0.28m | 5:15PM1.01m | 6:08AM0.38m | 6:01PM0.99m | 6:32AM0.50m | 6:55PM0.95m | 6:57AM0.64m | 8:01PM0.90m | 7:23AM0.79m | 9:22PM0.82m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 22 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 28 | 28 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 6 |
| kJ | 92 | 62 | 110 | 90 | 68 | 115 | 92 | 148 | 75 | 112 | 109 | 166 | 177 | 177 | 169 | 110 | 113 | 118 | 86 | 32 | 12 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSE 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 14 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 6 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 206 | 226 | 228 | 204 | 144 | 181 | 161 | 81 | 116 | 56 | 50 | 51 | 47 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 26 | 37 | 36 | 11 | 71 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSW 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | WNW 5 | SSW 14 | — | SW 15 | S 10 | SW 14 | S 10 | S 12 | SW 18 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | NW 9 |
| kJ | 178 | 134 | 164 | 101 | 96 | 24 | 82 | — | 33 | 31 | 30 | 17 | 28 | 49 | 30 | 26 | 41 | 40 | 36 | 29 | 20 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | — | WNW 5 | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 109 | 53 | 76 | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 149 | 2 | 0 | 150 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 144 | 2 | 0 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 53 | 150 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Isla Vista Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Isla Vista provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Isla Vista can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Isla Vista 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 (Isla Vista) 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 Isla Vista 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.
Isla Vista is 1 km (1 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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