Isla Vista surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 am Friday 03 Apr 2026 PDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Isla Vista surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Isla Vista sea temperature is
16.4° C
(Which is 2.7°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

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 (Apr 03) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 19s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 3s 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 2.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 07) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 18s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 04) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Fri 3rd Apr)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Best Surf 2AM (Tue 7th Apr)5ft (1.5m) 6s
Most Powerful 5PM (Tue 7th Apr)7ft (2.2m) 6s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Isla Vista over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Wed afternoon).

Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
WNW
0.9
WNW
0.8
WNW
0.5
WNW
0.3
SSW
0.4
SSW
0.4
NW
0.4
SSW
0.4
SSW
0.3
SSW
1.6
WNW
1.5
WNW
0.5
S
2.2
WNW
1.6
WNW
1.2
WNW
1.3
WNW
0.4
SW
0.4
SSW
0.5
SW
0.7
SSW
Period(s) (?)111111111716101515156614665516161618
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)20217313866621032587864414813492350156729075104129280
Wind
(km/h)
5
WSW
15
W
10
NNE
5
SSW
15
W
5
N
5
SW
15
WSW
10
NNW
10
WSW
20
W
10
NNW
5
SW
10
W
10
NNW
15
W
35
WNW
20
WNW
10
SW
10
SW
0
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
oncross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscrossononglass
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:31AM
1.62
10:59PM
2.03
12:18PM
1.50
11:25PM
1.99
1:13PM
1.38
11:53PM
1.93
2:33PM
1.29
12:25AM
1.85
1:07AM
1.77
2:13AM
1.69
8:16PM 3:49AM
1.45 1.65
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:48PM
0.89
5:57AM
0.41
5:09PM
1.02
6:41AM
0.46
5:27PM
1.13
7:32AM
0.53
5:36PM
1.22
8:36AM
0.59
9:57AM
0.62
11:14AM
0.60
10:00PM
1.44
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Sunrise6:43--6:43--6:41--6:39--6:39--6:37--6:35--
Sunset-7:21--7:22--7:22--7:23--7:23--7:24--7:25-
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
Rain (mm)
------------------122
Temp. °C202220242622242320212418222318242518181715
Feels °C (?)181818202219222017181914212215202014171615
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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