Surf Forecasts:
Isla Vista surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, WNW swell with 266 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with WNW 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. 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 1.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) 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 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Isla Vista over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s be real, Isla Vista is looking dead for the next two weeks. There’s no standout surf on the cards, not a single session I’d point you toward. The waves are going to be tiny and weak, and most of the energy is coming from the southwest, which is the wrong direction for this spot.
Looking at Monday and Tuesday, you might see waves around 3-4ft from the WNW, with moderate energy (277 to 426), but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, so it’s going to be choppy and uninviting. It’s really just marginal.
From Wednesday the 16th onward, it completely tanks. Waves drop to 1ft to 2ft, all from the SW, with weak to moderate energy, mostly between 97 and 377. The wind stays light but from the wrong direction, either onshore or cross-onshore. There’s some very long period swell, up to 21 seconds, but with no height to it, it’s just a wash. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
We see a slight lift in energy around the 20th and 21st, but we’re still stuck with 2ft waves from the SW. The wind is a light cross-onshore. It’s still either poor or marginal at best. And with crowds “often” at Isla Vista, you wouldn’t want to be out there for nothing.
Honestly, this is one of those long flat spells that happens around here. Don’t bother suiting up. Things can always change, but right now there’s nothing worth paddling for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 16 | SW 21 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 306 | 202 | 164 | 154 | 166 | 92 | 64 | 88 | 63 | 64 | 45 | 72 | 121 | 133 | 133 | 130 | 154 | 197 | 155 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 00:10AM1.60m | 11:59AM1.98m | 1:05AM1.43m | 12:31PM1.92m | 2:21AM1.29m | 1:08PM1.84m | 5:08AM1.24m | 3:16PM1.70m | 8:18AM1.41m | 4:47PM1.71m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 5:39AM0.83m | 6:55PM0.55m | 6:02AM0.99m | 7:53PM0.61m | 6:19AM1.13m | 9:08PM0.66m | 5:56AM1.24m | 10:39PM0.66m | 11:58PM0.61m | 10:39AM1.39m | 00:51AM0.53m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 25 | 26 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 26 | 22 |
Feels °C | 18 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | WNW 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 306 | 202 | 154 | 154 | 166 | 92 | 64 | 31 | 63 | 21 | 21 | 54 | 121 | 133 | 133 | 59 | 58 | 197 | 155 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 18 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 44 | 48 | 107 | 75 | 65 | 62 | 39 | 88 | 55 | 64 | 31 | 72 | 64 | 69 | 60 | 130 | 154 | 33 | 29 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 13 | S 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 3 | S 19 | S 18 | SSE 9 | S 16 | S 16 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 10 | SSW 13 | S 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | 56 | 27 | 1 | 15 | 14 | 2 | 29 | 55 | 8 | 46 | 45 | 17 | 8 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 34 | 7 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | SE 3 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | W 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | 184 | — | 164 | 119 | 2 | — | — | — | 29 | — | — | 18 | 36 | 24 | 66 | 46 | — | 77 | 121 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 117 | 2 | 0 | 66 | 150 | 0 | 66 | 2 | 0 | 52 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 150 | 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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