Surf Forecasts:
Isla Vista surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, WNW swell with 495 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m 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 1.7m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Isla Vista over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, it's Rusty. Let's be straight-up: Isla Vista is looking at a dead flat 16 days. The word is it's fairly consistent around here, so a dry spell like this tends to break, but the forecast really has nothing going for it. From now all the way through the end of the period, it’s poor to marginal. A proper lull.
The first session on Thursday 10th September afternoon shows a tiny 2ft SW swell, but it’s a long period groundswell of 16 seconds. That period on this beach and reef setup can make things fickle, and you've got a 9 mph cross-onshore wind. Choppy and poor.
Friday 11th is a washout – 2ft SW swell, light wind, marginal at best. Saturday 12th gives us 2ft SW. Poor. Sunday 13th September bumps up to 4ft WNW in the morning, but the period is a weak 9 seconds, and it's cross-onshore. The afternoon goes to 6ft, but the period drops to a shocking 6 seconds, just messy wind swell with a 9 mph cross-onshore wind. That’s wind-chop territory, not surfing.
Monday 14th through Thursday 17th is a dead zone. Swell hangs between 1ft and 4ft, but the wind is always on it – onshore or cross-onshore. Every session is rated poor or marginal. Some days we get long-period groundswells over 15 seconds, but with no size and bad wind, they're useless here.
The second week is no better. From Friday 18th September to Thursday 25th September, it’s 1ft to 3ft SW swells day after day. The wave energy is weak, mostly in the 200s. Long period pulses like a 19-second or 21-second swell would need a clean, offshore breeze and a forgiving break – we get the opposite at Isla Vista. Everything is "poor" or "marginal."
No standouts. No hope spots. The water is sitting at 70°, which is about 7° warmer than usual – that’s very unusual and you’ll definitely notice it. But it doesn’t matter if the waves aren’t there. Save your energy for another day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu night, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 251 | 196 | 146 | 171 | 102 | 102 | 156 | 243 | 272 | 193 | 202 | 186 | 166 | 162 | 94 | 70 | 88 | 63 | 98 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 1:08PM1.84m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:19AM1.13m | 9:08PM0.66m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 29 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 22 | 27 | 29 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 29 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 19 | 25 | 27 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | W 6 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 17 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 251 | 33 | 146 | 171 | 62 | 102 | 96 | 46 | 45 | 193 | 202 | 107 | 166 | 162 | 94 | 70 | 48 | 32 | 19 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | SW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 18 | S 9 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 5 | 196 | 51 | 42 | 102 | 59 | 29 | 58 | 58 | 44 | 48 | 1 | 75 | 65 | 63 | 39 | 88 | 63 | 98 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | W 18 | WNW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | WSW 16 | SW 19 | SW 13 | W 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 20 | S 19 | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 |
| kJ | 9 | 24 | 12 | 14 | 35 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 25 | 56 | 27 | 5 | 15 | 14 | 31 | 29 | 55 | 54 | 46 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | W 9 | — | SE 3 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 66 | 29 | 47 | 44 | 73 | 87 | 156 | 243 | 272 | 97 | — | 186 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 144 | 1 | 0 | 144 | 36 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 142 | 2 | 0 | 53 | 2 | 0 | 53 | 2 |
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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