Isla Vista Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.87° W

Isla Vista Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 16 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Isla Vista sea temperature is
18.9° C
2.3° 

Isla Vista surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Isla Vista surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, S swell with 510 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s 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 1.1m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 14s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Thu 16th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 8s
Best Surf11PM (Thu 16th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 8s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sun 19th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, the outlook is a bit flat for the most part. We’re looking at a long stretch of small, uninspiring surf with a few hopeful moments buried in the back half. The water at Isla Vista is sitting at 66° right now, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year – a nice little bonus for the skin if nothing else.

The first real chance to get wet comes on Monday morning, the 20th of July. It’s not big, with waves around 3 ft from the south, but the wind is glassy – dead calm – and that makes it the standout of the entire forecast. The swell energy is moderate (466), and the period is a decent 13 seconds, so it’ll have a bit of push. It’s the cleanest window we get, and for a sneaky paddle, that’s the one to chase. The break is a beach and reef setup, fairly exposed to the west, and it’s often crowded, so expect company.

The rest of the first week is mostly onshore breeze and waist-high slop. Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th are basically a washout with marginal, small waves and onshore wind. The swell is too weak to get excited about.

Looking further out, there’s a promising pulse building around Friday the 24th of July. The morning shows a 3 ft south swell with a very long period of 16 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 810 – that’s strong. The wind is light onshore, but that long period means the waves will have real shape and power, especially at a reef or point. This is a classic groundswell setup, so it might be a bit straight for the beach breaks, but the energy is there. Saturday the 25th of July keeps that energy going with a 2 ft swell from the south-southwest and a 21-second period – that’s very long. Combined energy hits 844 (strong). Again, light onshore wind, but the sheer period suggests proper lines. These are the best days in the second week, but they’re a long way off, so keep an eye on the forecasts.

The last couple of days of July into the 31st tail off again. Small, weak, and mostly onshore. Not much to write home about.

For the best on offer: Monday morning the 20th July for clean, glassy little waves if you want a quiet session, or Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th July if you’re willing to gamble on a long-range, powerful groundswell that could be worth the wait.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
0
2
0
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
WNW
9
1.1
WNW
8
1.1
WNW
9
0.4
WNW
18
0.4
WNW
17
0.4
WNW
17
0.6
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.5
WNW
16
0.6
SW
17
1
S
14
1
S
14
1
S
13
0.9
S
12
0.6
SSW
14
1
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
193
180
189
125
97
96
194
157
142
238
411
366
316
236
121
405
252
150
183
183
138
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
SW
5
ENE
10
SW
10
WSW
0
ESE
10
SW
10
WSW
5
SE
10
SSW
15
WSW
5
ENE
5
SW
10
SW
5
ESE
10
SSE
10
SW
5
W
10
SW
15
W
10
NW
Wind State
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
cross
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
12:45PM1.70m
11:46PM2.18m
1:27PM1.75m
00:38AM1.94m
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
Low Tide
5:45PM0.97m
6:48AM0.15m
6:48PM0.96m
7:27AM0.35m
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
5:58
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:10
8:10
8:09
8:09
8:08
8:08
8:07
 mm
Temp °C
27
27
25
23
24
22
25
25
22
25
24
23
26
27
24
27
26
21
25
29
26
Feels °C
27
27
25
24
25
24
26
25
23
26
23
22
26
27
25
28
28
23
26
28
25
  • 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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