Isla Vista Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about Isla Vista. Honestly, the next two weeks are looking pretty flat and messy. Most of the time the swell is tiny and the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, which is just gonna ruin any chance of a decent wave. The water is sitting at 67°, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year—feels like a bath out there.

Let’s start with Saturday morning, July 18th. We’ve got a tiny 2ft swell from the SW, but the period is a very long 18 seconds, so it’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is moderate at 384. Problem is, the wind is onshore from the SW at 6 mph, and the surf conditions are just poor. It’s not worth paddling out for that.

Sunday morning, July 19th, is more of the same—2ft SW swell, 17-second period, onshore wind. Marginal at best.

Monday morning, July 20th, the swell drops to 3ft from the S with a shorter 11-second period, but the wind is still onshore. The energy is moderate at 295. Still a no-go.

Tuesday, July 21st, the afternoon gets a bit of a bump in swell to 3ft from the SSW, 15-second period, but then the wind cranks up to 16 mph from the W, cross-onshore, and it’s choppy. Combined energy jumps to 515, which is solid moderate, but the wind just kills it.

Wednesday, July 22nd, through Thursday, July 23rd, it’s all tiny swell and onshore or cross-onshore winds. Thursday afternoon has a 1ft swell from the SW with a 26-second period—super long period but barely any height. Energy is 273, moderate, but not enough to ride.

Friday, July 24th, morning sees a 2ft SSW swell with a 24-second period, energy at 544. Still, the wind is onshore. Marginal at best.

The weekend of July 25th and 26th is the same story: 3ft SSW swell, long periods around 19-21 seconds, onshore winds in the morning, cross-onshore in the afternoon. Energy is getting stronger—between 505 and 624—but the wind is not cooperating.

Now, Monday, July 27th, morning shows 3ft from the SSW, 18-second period, and a combined energy of 801—that’s strong energy. And the wind is onshore, light at 6 mph. This is the one standout of the whole run. It’s still not perfect, but that energy is real, and a light onshore can sometimes keep things clean if it’s glassy enough. Isla Vista is a beach and reef setup, so that long-period groundswell might break a bit straight, but it’s the best you’re gonna get.

Tuesday, July 28th, is similar—3ft SW swell, 17-second period, onshore wind, energy around 700-777. Still marginal, but the score is a 2 out of 10, which is the highest we see all period. If you’re desperate, that morning might be worth a look.

Then Wednesday, July 29th, the swell direction shifts to WNW at 4ft, but the period drops to 9 seconds—short-period windswell. Energy is still strong at 605, but the wind is cross-shore or cross-onshore. Not great.

From Thursday, July 30th, through Sunday, August 2nd, it’s back to tiny surf and onshore winds. The entire run has a big gap of poor conditions with no real recommendations. The last few days of July and into August are all 2ft to 3ft swell, with onshore or cross-onshore winds. Energy drops off a cliff, down to 75 on Friday afternoon, July 31st—that’s weak.

So, if you’re really itching to get wet, the best bet is Monday morning, July 27th, or Tuesday morning, July 28th. The swell is small but has some punch, and the wind is light. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or both. Crowds are often an issue at Isla Vista, but with surf this poor, you might have it to yourself.

Rusty.

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