Surf Forecasts:
Jalama surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with 883 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Jalama this week:
The surf forecast for Jalama over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Jalama in the next 16 days are 1.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Jalama over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about what’s coming up in the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow start, with a few days of frustrating, marginal conditions, but there’s a real gem waiting for us if we’re patient.
The first decent surf to mention is at Jalama, and it’s a mixed bag early on. Friday the 17th kicks off with some chest-high swell at 6 ft from the NW, but that 8-second period is short and fat, and the cross-on wind is making a mess of it. The water temperature is sitting at 62°, which is about average for this time of year. We’ll get a few small windows of cleaner surf, but honestly, the first few days are all about waiting for the bad wind to back off. The swell energy is moderate (810), but it’s not surfable.
Saturday the 18th through to Tuesday the 22nd is a real grind. We’re looking at waist-high waves, mostly cross-shore breezes, and a lot of what the charts call “marginal” conditions. The swell energy dips and climbs between 594 and 1127, but it’s all a bit choppy and directionless. If you’re desperate for a paddle, you might find a clean-ish wave on Sunday morning, but it’s a real struggle.
Now, here’s the standout. The real light at the end of the tunnel is Thursday the 30th of July. The afternoon session is the one to circle. We’ve got a solid head-high to slightly overhead swell at 8 ft from the NW, and the secret sauce is the glassy conditions. That’s right, a glassy afternoon with a 9-second period groundswell. The energy is strong (1271), and the wind is dead calm. This is a true expert-level wave, as anything over 8 ft is for the big dogs, and this is right on the edge. It’s going to be clean, powerful, and worth the wait. The crowd factor is a “sometimes” deal, so you might have some company, but for that quality, it’s worth it.
The days after that, into the first of August, are a step down again. The swell sticks around at 6 ft to 6 ft, but the cross-on wind returns, and the period drops back to 10 seconds. It’s a better option than the early week, but nothing touches that Thursday afternoon. Keep your eyes on that date.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 13 | NW 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 348 | 336 | 412 | 407 | 362 | 362 | 429 | 339 | 501 | 314 | 295 | 632 | 401 | 445 | 394 | 389 | 316 | 236 | 229 | 208 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:45AM1.93m | 2:18PM1.80m | 1:42AM1.67m | 3:01PM1.84m | 2:53AM1.43m | 3:46PM1.86m | 4:29AM1.27m | 4:33PM1.88m | 6:30AM1.22m | 5:21PM1.89m | 8:10AM1.27m | 6:10PM1.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:56PM0.97m | 7:34AM0.35m | 8:06PM0.95m | 8:11AM0.57m | 9:26PM0.90m | 8:48AM0.77m | 10:52PM0.82m | 9:26AM0.96m | 00:12AM0.70m | 10:13AM1.10m | 1:15AM0.58m | 11:16AM1.20m | 2:03AM0.47m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | NW 7 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | SW 17 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 13 | W 6 | S 12 |
| kJ | 348 | 336 | 188 | 407 | 362 | 362 | 305 | 339 | 501 | 314 | 229 | 632 | 401 | 445 | 394 | 389 | 316 | 236 | 50 | 199 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 17 | WNW 16 | SW 18 | S 11 | WNW 16 | SW 17 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SW 7 | WSW 7 | SSW 14 | SSE 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 74 | 241 | 412 | 266 | 63 | 280 | 429 | 168 | 118 | 100 | 100 | 68 | 326 | 113 | 93 | 65 | 57 | 207 | 229 | 154 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 18 | SSE 12 | SW 16 | S 13 | WNW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | S 16 | SSE 14 | WSW 6 | SSW 13 | NW 11 |
| kJ | 50 | 9 | 370 | 47 | 124 | 126 | 273 | 264 | 255 | 201 | 295 | 300 | 66 | 43 | 37 | 131 | 215 | 32 | 156 | 40 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | — | — | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | WNW 3 | — | W 3 | NW 3 | NW 8 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 7 |
| kJ | 346 | 268 | — | 139 | 114 | 114 | 93 | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | 4 | — | 5 | 12 | 51 | 12 | 64 | 208 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 61 | 9 | 9 | 61 | 0 | 9 | 61 | 0 | 9 | 36 | 16 | 61 | 77 | 0 | 136 | 365 | 41 | 36 | 95 | 36 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Jalama Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Jalama provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Jalama can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Jalama 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 (Jalama) 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 Jalama 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.
Jalama is 15 km (9 miles) from Lompoc. If you plan a vacation in Santa Barbara, look for hotels and other accommodation in Lompoc. Lompoc has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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