
Surf Forecasts:
Isla Vista surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 21s period, SW swell with 467 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s. 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 0.7m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 13s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Isla Vista over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
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.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 26 | S 13 | SSW 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
194 | 159 | 142 | 238 | 238 | 139 | 163 | 166 | 127 | 207 | 392 | 201 | 218 | 215 | 213 | 108 | 105 | 115 | 368 | 162 | 467 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:10PM1.80m | 1:34AM1.67m | 2:53PM1.83m | 2:44AM1.43m | 3:39PM1.86m | 4:21AM1.26m | 4:27PM1.87m | 6:26AM1.22m | 5:17PM1.89m | 8:06AM1.27m | 6:06PM1.92m | 9:02AM1.34m | 6:53PM1.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:58PM0.95m | 8:04AM0.57m | 9:18PM0.91m | 8:40AM0.77m | 10:46PM0.83m | 9:19AM0.96m | 00:07AM0.71m | 10:07AM1.11m | 1:11AM0.58m | 11:12AM1.20m | 1:59AM0.47m | 12:20PM1.24m | 2:39AM0.37m | ||||||||
6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 8:09 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 32 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 23 | 28 | 30 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | SW 17 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | S 13 |
44 | 144 | 142 | 238 | 141 | 139 | 163 | 118 | 50 | 207 | 392 | 201 | 218 | 215 | 213 | 108 | 99 | 115 | 96 | 162 | 160 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSE 11 | W 6 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | S 10 | SE 12 | S 16 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SW 19 | SSE 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 |
194 | 159 | 39 | 30 | 238 | 125 | 119 | 166 | 127 | 48 | 6 | 77 | 11 | 6 | 58 | 96 | 102 | 68 | 368 | 141 | 467 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 16 | SSE 12 | SW 16 | S 12 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | WNW 4 | WNW 14 | SSW 13 | S 16 | SW 21 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | S 8 | SSE 11 | WSW 18 | SW 26 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
146 | 26 | 65 | 69 | 91 | 73 | 6 | 69 | 65 | 81 | 18 | 26 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 31 | 105 | 49 | 44 | 42 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | W 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 |
— | 16 | 33 | 23 | 28 | 22 | 7 | 14 | 16 | 22 | 105 | 69 | 37 | 143 | 77 | 23 | 66 | 62 | 36 | 49 | 48 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 2 | 0 | 149 | 2 | 0 | 53 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 36 | 1 | 2 | 36 | 1 | 2 | 311 | 1 | 150 | 2 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










