Surf Forecasts:
Pescaderos surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, WNW swell with 198 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pescaderos this week:
The surf forecast for Pescaderos 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 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pescaderos in the next 16 days are 0.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pescaderos over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s going on for Pescaderos over the next couple of weeks.
To be honest, it’s a pretty flat and quiet stretch. There’s no real surf to speak of for the first few days, just tiny, weak waves. The water temperature is sitting at 70°, which is a massive 7° warmer than what’s normal for this time of year – that’s really unusual, and it’s going to feel like a warm bath out there.
The action, such as it is, doesn’t really start to show any pulse until late in the period. The standout window looks like Saturday the 29th of August into Sunday the 30th. On Saturday afternoon, the swell bumps up to a clean 2 ft from the SW with a 17-second period, which is a proper long-period groundswell. The combined energy hits 477 (moderate), and with a light cross-off wind from the W at 9 mph, the surface will be clean. That long period will make for some nice shaped waves, but you’ll be waiting for sets. This is likely the best on offer.
For the rest of the run, it’s mostly sub-3 ft junk. The wind stays light most days, often cross or cross-off, which is good for keeping it clean, but the swell is just too small and short-period to get excited about. The morning of the 29th has a higher energy reading of 627, but it’s flagged as marginal, likely due to a dodgy tide or something.
Keep your expectations low. There’s a long gap of small, ordinary waves before that Saturday afternoon window. It’s a beginner-friendly break, and the crowds are sometimes there, but with this lack of size, it shouldn’t be busy.
Stay patient.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 23°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 | S 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 7 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 140 | 80 | 153 | 120 | 186 | 164 | 110 | 118 | 120 | 79 | 131 | 150 | 143 | 123 | 55 | 72 | 96 | 80 | 112 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 2:25AM1.33m | 2:22PM1.84m | 4:21AM1.20m | 3:14PM1.80m | 4:21PM1.79m | 8:37AM1.33m | 5:31PM1.81m | 8:55AM1.39m | 6:29PM1.88m | 9:13AM1.44m | 7:17PM1.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:36PM0.76m | 7:28AM0.97m | 10:00PM0.75m | 7:51AM1.12m | 11:30PM0.69m | 00:43AM0.59m | 10:39AM1.31m | 1:34AM0.49m | 12:14PM1.30m | 2:13AM0.40m | 1:10PM1.24m | 2:46AM0.33m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 28 | 30 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 23 | 27 | 29 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 6 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 140 | 44 | 153 | 120 | 99 | 164 | 73 | 60 | 58 | 54 | 131 | 150 | 143 | 123 | 29 | 30 | 96 | 57 | 112 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | S 16 | SW 13 | NW 15 | SSW 15 | S 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 8 | 80 | 44 | 9 | 186 | 43 | 110 | 118 | 120 | 79 | 59 | 58 | 57 | 56 | 42 | 72 | 90 | 80 | 65 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SW 16 | S 9 | SW 19 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SW 18 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | WNW 9 | S 15 |
| kJ | 2 | 67 | 2 | 15 | 20 | 18 | 31 | 32 | 46 | 55 | 49 | 30 | 30 | 50 | 14 | 32 | 32 | 16 | 38 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 78 | 74 | 89 | 117 | 66 | 73 | 58 | — | — | — | — | 67 | — | — | 55 | 41 | 36 | 29 | 23 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 1 | 150 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Pescaderos Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Pescaderos provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Pescaderos can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Pescaderos 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 (Pescaderos) 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 Pescaderos 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.
Pescaderos 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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