Surf Forecasts:
Isla Vista surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SSW swell with 373 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s 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 0.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Isla Vista over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Isla Vista over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – the first week and a half is a bit of a flop. There’s nothing worth paddling out for right now. The swell is small, the wind is never truly clean, and the water’s energy is low. We’ve got a long, quiet stretch from now until around the 27th of August where the surf just isn’t offering anything. It’s a frustrating gap, but these things happen.
The first real flicker of hope shows up early on Thursday the 28th of August. Overnight into Friday morning, the swell starts to build from the south. We’re looking at a 5 ft S swell with a period of 14 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and the combined energy is cranking up to 1026 – that’s strong energy. The wind is light and clean from the southwest, so it’s gonna be glassy. This is the standout. The waves will have some real push, but at 5 ft, it’s still manageable for a confident intermediate. If you’re a beginner, those 5 ft sets might be a bit much. The swell direction from the south works well for Isla Vista’s optimum west exposure, so expect some lined-up waves, especially at the point. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
Through Friday afternoon, the swell bumps up to 5 ft from the south, but the wind goes cross-onshore, which will mess up the surface a bit. It’s still worth a look, but the morning is the real window.
By Saturday the 29th, the swell drops back to 3 ft from the south, with moderate energy (448). The morning wind is still light and offshore from the southwest, so it’ll be clean, but the waves will be smaller and less powerful. It’s a decent option if you missed the Friday morning session, but it’s not the peak.
So, to wrap it up: the first week is a washout. Wait it out. The best bet is the morning of Thursday the 28th of August – that’s the one to circle on the calendar. It’s a bit far out, so keep an eye on the forecasts, but it’s got promise.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 23°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 104 | 180 | 240 | 232 | 229 | 322 | 212 | 191 | 188 | 188 | 186 | 246 | 154 | 212 | 120 | 186 | 121 | 123 | 137 | 155 | 79 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:54AM1.84m | 11:32PM2.00m | 12:29PM1.88m | 00:20AM1.77m | 1:03PM1.89m | 1:15AM1.53m | 1:40PM1.88m | 2:25AM1.33m | 2:22PM1.84m | 4:21AM1.20m | 3:14PM1.80m | 4:21PM1.79m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 5:33PM0.75m | 6:03AM0.37m | 6:28PM0.74m | 6:34AM0.58m | 7:27PM0.75m | 7:02AM0.78m | 8:36PM0.76m | 7:28AM0.97m | 10:00PM0.75m | 7:51AM1.12m | 11:30PM0.69m | 00:43AM0.59m | |||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 30 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 29 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | 104 | 180 | 240 | 232 | 229 | 322 | 212 | 191 | 188 | 188 | 186 | 204 | 154 | 153 | 86 | 96 | 121 | 123 | 137 | 120 | 74 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | S 18 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | S 16 | WNW 13 | SSW 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 87 | 140 | 100 | 45 | 44 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 25 | 120 | 44 | 44 | 120 | 186 | 43 | 33 | 118 | 46 | 62 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 18 | S 16 | S 9 | NW 15 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | S 8 | WNW 13 | SW 19 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 12 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 80 | 2 | 9 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 54 | 14 | 79 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 8 | W 4 | WNW 4 | W 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | — | W 6 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 6 |
| kJ | — | 29 | 9 | 6 | 49 | 25 | 22 | 64 | 75 | 53 | 109 | 246 | — | 212 | 50 | — | 100 | 106 | — | 155 | 67 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 172 | 2 | 0 | 311 | 2 | 0 | 311 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 150 | 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.
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