Surf Forecasts:
Isla Vista surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, WNW swell with 343 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 17s period with SW 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s is also forecast. 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 1.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 13s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Isla Vista over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Isla Vista in the only way that makes sense. We’ve got a long, bleak stretch ahead. From the 24th of August through the end of the month, it’s all small, junky waves with onshore or cross-onshore winds. You’re looking at little 1ft to 2ft scraps, and it’s just not happening.
The first real day that’s worth a paddle is Wednesday morning, September 2nd. That morning we get glassy wind, with a 3ft south swell at 12 seconds. The energy is moderate (250), but the shape is there. The water temp is 70°, which is 6° warmer than normal – that’s very unusual, almost bathwater.
Our only true standout is Friday morning, September 4th. The swell is tiny at 2ft from the SW, but the period is a solid 17 seconds – that’s deep ocean groundswell that will wrap in nicely. The wind is glassy, the energy is strong (483), and the direction is perfect. For a reef setup, that long period will give you beautiful, lined-up waves with plenty of time between sets. It’s small, but it will be clean and fun. Crowds are likely here, but it’s worth the fight.
The rest of the outlook is grim. Friday afternoon on the 4th goes cross-onshore and junky, and the days after that are mostly poor surf or marginal conditions with choppy wind. The long-range on Monday, September 7th brings a 2ft swell from the SW at a very long 21 seconds with good energy (513), but the forecast is marginal.
Friday morning, September 4th is the call. Everything else is a pass.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Fri afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | SW 18 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 109 | 98 | 135 | 130 | 91 | 89 | 124 | 85 | 105 | 85 | 112 | 162 | 151 | 124 | 312 | 287 | 212 | 231 | 249 | 218 | 213 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:31AM1.49m | 7:57PM2.04m | 9:50AM1.54m | 8:34PM2.09m | 10:09AM1.59m | 9:10PM2.11m | 10:30AM1.66m | 9:45PM2.07m | 10:51AM1.73m | 10:22PM1.99m | 11:14AM1.81m | 11:01PM1.86m | 11:39AM1.87m | 11:45PM1.70m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:52PM1.16m | 3:15AM0.27m | 2:29PM1.07m | 3:42AM0.25m | 3:05PM0.98m | 4:07AM0.27m | 3:43PM0.89m | 4:32AM0.32m | 4:22PM0.81m | 4:56AM0.41m | 5:03PM0.74m | 5:19AM0.53m | 5:49PM0.69m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 21 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 5 | S 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | S 9 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 11 | 98 | 135 | 20 | 55 | 131 | 205 | 189 | 105 | 85 | 63 | 162 | 151 | 27 | 312 | 197 | 206 | 201 | 249 | 218 | 213 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 12 | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SW 16 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 10 | SW 21 | W 11 |
| kJ | 109 | 29 | 55 | 130 | 91 | 89 | 54 | 51 | 179 | 156 | 112 | 82 | 48 | 69 | 152 | 91 | 127 | 124 | 2 | 17 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 14 | SSE 10 | S 13 | SSE 10 | W 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 10 | S 19 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | W 20 | S 9 | — |
| kJ | 37 | 16 | 10 | 55 | 10 | 40 | 124 | 85 | 75 | 74 | 73 | 65 | 33 | 66 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | W 5 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | — | WNW 5 | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 13 | 15 | 33 | — | 32 | 62 | — | — | 48 | — | — | — | — | 124 | 148 | 287 | 212 | 231 | 211 | 135 | 62 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 78 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 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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