Surf Forecasts:
Isla Vista surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 6s period, WNW swell with 384 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Isla Vista in the next 16 days are 2.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Isla Vista over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s coming down the pike for the local lineup. Let’s get straight into it, because this stretch is a bit of a mixed bag.
Overall, the surf for the next 16 days is very small and tricky. We’ve got a long wait for anything decent, and when the swell does show up, it’s mostly messy with onshore winds. The first real wave of note won't be until late in the first week.
We start with a gap of several days with no real recommendations. From the 10th right through the 16th, the call is mostly poor surf conditions or marginal. The combined energy is weak, with values like 340 and 338 on the 10th, and staying below 300 for days. It's just not happening.
Then, on Tuesday the 15th of September in the afternoon, things get interesting. At Isla Vista, we see a glassy window – light SW wind, 3 mph, with the word "glass" in the data. The swell is tiny, only 3 ft from the WNW at 8 seconds, and the combined energy is a weak 184. This isn’t a standout for size, but the glassy conditions mean it could be the cleanest wave of the whole forecast. For a surfer looking to get wet and slide on something smooth, that Tuesday arvo is your best bet. This is a beach and reef setup, fairly exposed, and it's a fairly consistent spot, so even a little pulse can sometimes line up.
That’s about the highlight. From there, it gets small again. The 17th and 18th bring even smaller swells at 1.0 ft and 2 ft, with terrible energy. Water temp is about average for the time of year down here.
The second week is more of the same: small, weak swells. The 20th and 21st show some lift in combined energy (up to 391) but the swells are still tiny at 2 ft and the wind is cross-on. No standouts there. The 23rd has a brief 5 ft spike of windswell from the WNW at only 5 seconds, but that’s coupled with cross-shore wind and poor conditions – that’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddler’s dream.
So, if you’re hanging out for surf, keep your eyes on that Tuesday afternoon, the 15th. It’s not a big day, but it might just be the cleanest we get.
Stay wet,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 195 | 295 | 261 | 251 | 196 | 146 | 171 | 102 | 159 | 162 | 237 | 384 | 359 | 202 | 126 | 206 | 162 | 90 | 66 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:03PM2.19m | 10:04AM1.88m | 9:50PM2.10m | 10:33AM1.95m | 10:35PM1.96m | 11:01AM2.00m | 11:21PM1.79m | 11:30AM2.01m | 00:10AM1.60m | 11:59AM1.98m | 1:05AM1.43m | 12:31PM1.92m | 2:21AM1.29m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:45AM0.19m | 3:47PM0.66m | 4:17AM0.32m | 4:32PM0.57m | 4:46AM0.47m | 5:18PM0.52m | 5:14AM0.65m | 6:05PM0.52m | 5:39AM0.83m | 6:55PM0.55m | 6:02AM0.99m | 7:53PM0.61m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 31 | 32 | 31 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 6 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 195 | 295 | 261 | 251 | 31 | 146 | 171 | 73 | 102 | 96 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 202 | 126 | 206 | 162 | 90 | 66 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | WNW 5 | SW 9 | SSW 7 | SW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 13 | 17 | 20 | 5 | 196 | 51 | 42 | 102 | 59 | 29 | 58 | 58 | 56 | 48 | 107 | 75 | 65 | 63 | 39 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | WNW 12 | W 18 | WNW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SW 16 | S 9 | SW 13 | S 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 20 | S 19 |
| kJ | 28 | 28 | 11 | 14 | 24 | 12 | 14 | 35 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 27 | 1 | 15 | 14 | 31 | 29 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — |
| kJ | 40 | — | 46 | 77 | 47 | 91 | 70 | 70 | 159 | 162 | 237 | 384 | 359 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 144 | 1 | 1 | 144 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 36 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 2 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 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.
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