Surf Forecasts:
Isla Vista surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SSW swell with 344 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period with SSW 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 (Aug 31) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m 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 0.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 12s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Isla Vista over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright team, Rusty here. Gotta give it to you straight: this 16-day run is looking bleak. We got a lot of weak, small swell and a persistent cross-onshore wind that’s got the water all chopped up. The water’s running about 71°F, which is a good 8°F warmer than usual for this time of year, so at least you won't need a spring suit.
The first few days, through the end of August, are basically a no-go. Tiny surf, most of it under 3ft, with the odd longer period but just no power behind it. The wind’s mostly cross-on, which is gonna trash any hope of clean lines. Saturday the 29th starts with a 2ft SW swell, but that’s gone by the afternoon, which turns into a choppy mess with 15 mph west winds. Not worth paddling out for.
The first week of September just keeps that same vibe going. We see a little pulse of energy, but the waves stay small, and the wind keeps messing things up. The SW swells are all in the 1ft to 3ft range, and the period drops off. Everything’s looking poor. The first few days of the month are basically flat. There is a slight bump on the 4th and 5th, but it’s not clean. The swell is coming from the SSW, which is alright for Isla Vista (California), but it’s just not enough size to get you out of bed.
Around the 7th and 8th, the swell shifts to the WNW, but the period is super short, like 8 seconds, and the wind goes cross-shore from the SE. That’s just gonna be a jumbled mess. Still small, around 3ft, but no shape or push.
The second week is more of the same. Tiny surf, mostly under 3ft, with that onshore or cross-on wind pattern. We see a little average period swell, but the energy is still too weak. We just aren’t getting any decent size or any clean wind windows.
Here’s the bottom line: there are no standout days in this whole window. The best you could hope for is a marginal, crowded wave on the 4th or 5th, when we might see 3ft of SSW swell with a 16-17 second period and light morning winds. But even then, it’s going to be inconsistent and you’ll be fighting for scraps. With surf this small and conditions this poor, the spot is starting to look more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, honestly. It’s just a tough stretch, but things always change. Forecasts update all the time.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Sat afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 17 | WNW 6 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 302 | 309 | 255 | 314 | 218 | 183 | 136 | 107 | 69 | 68 | 44 | 82 | 84 | 156 | 150 | 154 | 188 | 204 | 325 | 310 | 291 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:14AM1.81m | 11:01PM1.86m | 11:39AM1.87m | 11:45PM1.70m | 12:07PM1.93m | 00:36AM1.51m | 12:42PM1.96m | 1:45AM1.33m | 1:25PM1.97m | 3:36AM1.21m | 2:24PM1.96m | 6:25AM1.24m | 3:43PM1.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:03PM0.74m | 5:19AM0.53m | 5:49PM0.69m | 5:43AM0.68m | 6:42PM0.65m | 6:08AM0.82m | 7:45PM0.63m | 6:34AM0.97m | 9:06PM0.60m | 7:03AM1.11m | 10:40PM0.53m | 7:59AM1.23m | 00:02AM0.40m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 31 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 302 | 261 | 255 | 314 | 218 | 183 | 136 | 86 | 78 | 61 | 59 | 82 | 84 | 156 | 139 | 99 | 188 | 113 | 325 | 310 | 291 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | S 10 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | WNW 5 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 91 | 127 | 124 | 2 | 2 | 32 | 20 | 107 | 69 | 68 | 44 | 79 | 30 | 67 | 150 | 154 | 50 | 204 | 26 | 147 | 45 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | S 9 | S 9 | W 20 | W 12 | W 11 | SSE 12 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 | SSW 18 | SW 13 | SW 16 | — | W 12 | SSW 21 | SW 15 | S 19 | SSW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 15 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 29 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 31 | 7 | 69 | — | 11 | 42 | 109 | 111 | 69 | 22 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | W 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 114 | 309 | 181 | 238 | 188 | 73 | 32 | 40 | 20 | 10 | 20 | 33 | 18 | 37 | 59 | 33 | 131 | 51 | 31 | 34 | 56 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 78 | 1 | 2 | 36 | 1 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 150 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 311 | 0 | 2 | 36 | 0 | 144 | 2 | 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.
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