Surf Forecasts:
Isla Vista surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, WNW swell with 281 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s 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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. 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 1.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) 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 0.8m 19s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Isla Vista over the next 16 days.
Hey gang, Rusty here. Let's talk about Isla Vista for the next couple weeks. I'm not gonna sugarcoat it; it's looking pretty grim out there for a while.
Right now, we're staring down a big blank run. From now all the way through the 15th of July, the surf is just no good. The waves are tiny and weak, and the wind isn't doing us any favors. The water is about 63°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that's cold comfort when there's nothing to ride.
The first time we might see a pulse is on Thursday, July 16th. We finally get a little bump of energy from the W, around 3ft, but the period is a messy 8 to 9 seconds. The wind is light and straight onshore from the WSW. It's a "maybe" day, barely worth a paddle if you're desperate.
The next real chance, and the best shot in this whole outlook, comes on Saturday, July 25th. We get a big surge of energy, the highest in the whole forecast (571!). It's a SW groundswell with a super long period of 20 seconds, but the wave height is only about 2ft. The wind is light and onshore in the morning. That long period means it'll be clean, but it'll also have long waits between sets and might wall up at this beach-and-reef setup. It's a promising but very uncertain long-range call. Expect crowds if it does show.
After that, we get another marginal nod on Sunday, July 26th with similar SW swell and long periods, but the wind gets a bit choppy in the afternoon.
So, bottom line: there's a whole lot of flat and poor conditions ahead. Keep an eye on July 16th for a tiny window, but circle Saturday, July 25th on your calendar as the one to hope for. Don't hold your breath on the rest.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | W 9 | W 8 | SW 19 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 172 | 118 | 152 | 163 | 136 | 104 | 139 | 141 | 68 | 26 | 56 | 109 | 109 | 195 | 127 | 151 | 137 | 92 | 104 | 97 | 96 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:03AM1.38m | 7:29PM2.37m | 9:53AM1.46m | 8:23PM2.47m | 10:38AM1.52m | 9:15PM2.51m | 11:20AM1.58m | 10:06PM2.48m | 12:03PM1.64m | 10:56PM2.37m | 12:45PM1.70m | 11:46PM2.18m | 1:27PM1.75m | 00:38AM1.94m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:52PM1.13m | 3:08AM-0.01m | 1:54PM1.11m | 3:56AM-0.12m | 2:53PM1.07m | 4:42AM-0.16m | 3:49PM1.03m | 5:26AM-0.12m | 4:46PM0.99m | 6:08AM-0.01m | 5:45PM0.97m | 6:48AM0.15m | 6:48PM0.96m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 21 | 23 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 31 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 4 | W 4 | S 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | W 9 | SW 16 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 17 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 172 | 47 | 152 | 163 | 136 | 104 | 139 | 141 | 9 | 6 | 26 | 109 | 47 | 68 | 127 | 151 | 87 | 52 | 85 | 97 | 29 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | S 15 | WNW 4 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | W 13 | WNW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 19 | WNW 8 | WNW 18 | SW 14 | WNW 17 |
| kJ | 49 | 118 | 25 | 26 | 67 | 5 | 35 | 32 | 68 | 19 | 49 | 56 | 32 | 35 | 90 | 89 | 72 | 27 | 104 | 54 | 96 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | S 16 | S 18 | S 18 | W 17 | NW 9 | W 16 | SW 19 | NW 9 | S 12 | SW 13 | WNW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | W 13 | WNW 20 | WNW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 7 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 22 | 19 | 59 | 21 | 26 | 44 | 41 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 75 | 29 | 92 | 54 | 50 | 77 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 2 | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | W 8 | — | — | WNW 6 | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 56 | 97 | 109 | 195 | 84 | — | 137 | — | — | 45 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 74 | 0 | 1 | 53 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 311 | 36 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 144 | 2 | 0 |
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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