Surf Forecasts:
Jelly Bowl surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 146 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Jelly Bowl this week:
The surf forecast for Jelly Bowl over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Jelly Bowl in the next 16 days are 0.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Jelly Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for the next couple of weeks. Straight up, I gotta be honest with you – it’s a flat spell ahead. Not much to get excited about, but let’s dig in.
We're looking at a long dry patch with nothing worth paddling out for from Monday the 17th of August all the way through to Saturday the 29th. The swell is tiny, the wind is mostly cross-onshore, and every report is calling it "poor surf conditions." The one spot we have data for is Jelly Bowl, a beginner-friendly reef setup. It's a fairly consistent break, so when there is swell, it usually shows, but the energy just isn't there.
The water temp at Jelly Bowl is sitting at 70°, which is a huge 6° warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s very unusual. The currents might feel a little weird, but it’ll be comfortable on those rare calm days.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Saturday the 29th of August. The morning shows a jump in swell to 3ft from the SSW with a very long period of 18 seconds. The combined energy reading is a solid 436, which is moderate but solid for this spot. The wind is light and onshore, which isn't perfect, but it’s not strong enough to ruin it completely. That same 3ft SSW, 18s groundswell holds into Sunday morning, with a combined energy of 349, and the wind switches to a light onshore. Still, with the period that long, it might stand up a bit better on a reef like Jelly Bowl, but it's not gonna be a classic.
Monday the 31st is similar – 2ft from the SSW, period dropping to 14 seconds, and the energy down to 288. Still just "poor" conditions reported, so it's not going to be epic.
Let’s call it: the only standout in this whole 16-day window is the morning of Saturday the 29th of August at Jelly Bowl. Swell size is 3ft from the SSW with a very long 18-second period. That long period means it’ll have some punch for a small wave, and it’ll have nice shape on that reef. With light wind, it might just be clean enough for a fun little session. It's a beginner-friendly spot, so if you’re learning, that’s your window. It’s also an inconsistent spot, so when it works, it’s a treat. Expect small crowds – it’s not a secret, but with this outlook, probably only the die-hards will be out.
For the rest of the time, I wouldn't bother. The swell is small, the period is short, and the wind is just wrong. It’s gonna be a choppy mess or flat. If you're a kite surfer, some of those breezy afternoons might be more interesting than for a paddle surfer.
Keep your chin up – this spell won't last forever, but for now, wait for that Saturday morning.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 11 | SSW 13 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
116 | 146 | 104 | 81 | 130 | 138 | 85 | 81 | 81 | 79 | 35 | 58 | 34 | 60 | 43 | 71 | 50 | 50 | 68 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:17AM1.35m | 2:16PM1.87m | 4:12AM1.22m | 3:08PM1.83m | 4:16PM1.81m | 8:37AM1.35m | 5:27PM1.84m | 8:51AM1.42m | 6:27PM1.91m | 9:08AM1.47m | 7:14PM2.00m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:29PM0.77m | 7:21AM0.98m | 9:53PM0.77m | 7:43AM1.14m | 11:26PM0.71m | 00:40AM0.61m | 10:34AM1.34m | 1:31AM0.51m | 12:12PM1.32m | 2:10AM0.41m | 1:08PM1.25m | 2:42AM0.33m | |||||||
— | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 |
Feels °C | 25 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 6 | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 7 | W 11 | W 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 |
30 | 33 | 39 | 49 | 58 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 12 | 17 | 57 | 18 | 60 | 39 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 19 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 |
116 | 146 | 104 | 81 | 130 | 138 | 85 | 81 | 81 | 79 | 35 | 58 | 29 | 33 | 43 | 71 | 33 | 34 | 68 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | S 9 | SSW 13 | S 9 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 10 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 12 | WNW 10 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
7 | 2 | 33 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 20 | 13 | 34 | 30 | 30 | 19 | 50 | 50 | 50 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | — | W 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | W 3 | W 5 |
52 | — | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | — | — | 8 | 28 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 85 | 4 | 0 | 121 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 31 | 4 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Jelly Bowl Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Jelly Bowl provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Jelly Bowl can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Jelly Bowl 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 (Jelly Bowl) 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 Jelly Bowl 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.
Jelly Bowl is 16 km (10 miles) from the city of Santa Ana. If you plan a vacation in Santa Barbara, look for hotels and other accommodation in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











