Surf Forecasts:
Isla Vista surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SSW swell with 356 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 3 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 15s 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 (Jul 03) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s is also forecast. 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 0.8m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Fri 3rd Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Isla Vista over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's in the water – and honestly, it's not much. We're looking at a long, slow stretch ahead with nothing really calling for a session. If you're itching to surf, you might be waiting a while.
We start Friday the 3rd with a tiny 0.5m (about 2ft) southwest swell, but it's got a super long 16-second period. The wind is blowing right onshore from the SSW at 3 mph, so it's bumpy and messy right from the start. The wave energy is weak (271), and they're calling it marginal at best. It's a pass.
The entire first week doesn't get any better. Saturday the 4th through Monday the 6th is all 1ft to 2ft onshore slop. The wind stays WSW or W, making it cross-onshore and choppy. By Tuesday and Wednesday the 8th, we get a little more size – up to 3ft – but the wind is still on it from the WSW at 6 mph, and the combined energy is still just moderate (521 to 583). The wave comment is "poor" all the way.
The only flicker of a chance is Thursday the 9th of July. A 3ft WNW swell rolls in with a short 9-second period. The magic is the wind – it goes nearly glassy in the afternoon with a slight air from the SW. For Isla Vista, a beach and reef setup, short period isn't ideal, but clean conditions are always a win. The energy is still only moderate at 417, so it's not a standout, just the cleanest dog in the fight.
From Friday the 10th onward into the second week, it's groundhog day. Swells hover between 1ft and 4ft, mostly from the SSW or WNW, with periods from 8 to 18 seconds. The wind is nearly always onshore or cross-onshore. The combined energy barely gets out of the low hundreds. No real swell, no clean wind, no standout days.
This kind of flat run isn't normal for a spot that's usually fairly consistent, but it happens. Forecasts can flip, so don't lose hope. For now, the waves just aren't there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thu 9 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 19 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 84 | 118 | 121 | 79 | 120 | 125 | 81 | 176 | 121 | 145 | 171 | 171 | 298 | 319 | 356 | 276 | 339 | 298 | 211 | 173 | 169 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on |
High Tide | 11:27PM2.00m | 1:49PM1.51m | 00:03AM1.88m | 2:21PM1.56m | 00:44AM1.72m | 2:54PM1.63m | 1:36AM1.55m | 3:28PM1.73m | 2:52AM1.37m | 4:07PM1.84m | 4:39AM1.25m | 4:52PM1.97m | 6:32AM1.23m | 5:42PM2.10m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:54AM0.33m | 6:11PM1.21m | 7:24AM0.42m | 7:10PM1.20m | 7:53AM0.53m | 8:24PM1.15m | 8:23AM0.65m | 9:50PM1.04m | 8:57AM0.78m | 11:15PM0.85m | 9:41AM0.91m | 00:27AM0.62m | 10:37AM1.03m | ||||||||
 | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — |
 | 8:15 | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 27 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 24 | 25 | 28 | 24 | 26 | 27 |
Feels °C | 15 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 23 | 25 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | W 8 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 4 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 84 | 34 | 121 | 79 | 120 | 120 | 9 | 176 | 121 | 145 | 171 | 171 | 223 | 319 | 356 | 276 | 119 | 298 | 108 | 173 | 169 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SW 16 | S 16 | S 15 | WNW 9 | SSW 19 | SSW 14 | W 4 | SSW 13 | S 17 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | S 18 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | S 19 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 9 | 118 | 45 | 18 | 26 | 125 | 81 | 6 | 58 | 86 | 153 | 154 | 298 | 103 | 84 | 54 | 339 | 66 | 211 | 173 | 166 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 16 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 19 | S 11 | S 9 | SSW 13 | S 9 | SSW 22 | WNW 13 | SSW 12 | NW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | S 19 | S 9 | S 17 | S 17 | S 16 |
| kJ | 25 | 80 | 9 | 9 | 74 | 9 | 15 | 58 | 14 | 91 | 17 | 28 | 37 | 27 | 25 | 12 | 66 | 2 | 92 | 90 | 82 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 9 | — | WNW 4 | W 4 | WNW 5 | W 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — |
| kJ | 82 | 39 | 42 | 29 | 20 | 39 | — | 10 | 17 | 29 | 22 | 78 | 100 | 72 | 118 | 169 | — | 115 | 53 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 53 | 2 | 0 | 54 | 2 | 0 | 311 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 6 |
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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