
Surf Forecasts:
Pescaderos surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, S swell with 598 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period with WNW 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pescaderos in the next 16 days are 1.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
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 cookin’ for our stretch of coast. We’re in for a bit of a slow burn; not much happening right now, but there’s some promise tucked away later in the run. This is a long-range look, so keep the salt in your hair and patience in your heart.
We’re talking about Pescaderos here. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, fairly consistent, with a WSW optimum direction. Right now, the surf is marginal, with small, weak swell and a bit of cross-shore breeze. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild.
The first real interest doesn’t pop up until later. For the first week, we’ve got a lot of light wind days but tiny, mixed-up swell. On Thursday the 24th, there’s a bit of a lift with a 4 ft S swell coming in, combined energy climbing up (828). The winds are light cross-shore, so it’ll be clean-ish, but still just small. Not a standout, just a little pulse.
The real standout window kicks off on Sunday the 26th afternoon. That’s where we see a nice little long-period groundswell arriving from the SW, reading at 2 ft but with a period of 18 seconds. Combined energy jumps to 778, and more importantly, the wind goes cross-offshore from the W at 9 mph – that’s clean, glassy face potential. This is the best we’ve got on offer. It’s a long-period swell too, which means those waves will have some real shape and push, but at a beach break like this, they might wall up a bit straight. Still, for a smaller day, that’s a treat.
Monday the 27th afternoon looks just as good, with a similar cross-offshore wind and a clean 3 ft SSW groundswell. Energy’s up to 835, and the period is a solid 19 seconds. This is another top pick. The winds are light, almost glassy out there. It’s not big, but it’s quality.
After that, Tuesday the 28th holds similar clean conditions into the afternoon, and then we start to see the energy fade through the end of the month. The rest of the run is small and weak, with mostly cross or cross-on winds, not worth getting too excited about.
So, to sum it up: don’t bother for the first week and a half. Surf is tiny and underwhelming. The end of the second week, especially the 26th and 27th of July, are your best bets. Clean, long-period groundswell with light offshore winds. It’s not a big swell, but for a beginner-friendly wave like Pescaderos, that’s the sweet spot.
Stay wet,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Wed night, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 17 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | S 13 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
116 | 193 | 184 | 249 | 127 | 97 | 96 | 194 | 157 | 142 | 417 | 399 | 462 | 236 | 202 | 103 | 156 | 256 | 201 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:56PM2.37m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:08AM-0.01m | 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 | |||||||
— | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
8:12 | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:08 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 31 | 28 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 16 | WNW 5 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | S 13 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
51 | 193 | 184 | 249 | 127 | 90 | 62 | 43 | 144 | 39 | 417 | 399 | 462 | 236 | 202 | 82 | 156 | 256 | 201 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 17 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 15 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 5 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 16 |
116 | 89 | 87 | 127 | 104 | 97 | 96 | 194 | 157 | 113 | 190 | 235 | 26 | 112 | 121 | 103 | 48 | 107 | 76 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | WNW 20 | WNW 19 | WNW 19 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | WNW 16 | SSE 12 | WNW 16 | WNW 6 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | WNW 5 | WNW 14 | SSW 13 | S 17 | WNW 13 | SSW 9 |
90 | 75 | 72 | 69 | 54 | 54 | 77 | 146 | 27 | 142 | 23 | 91 | 73 | 7 | 69 | 69 | 86 | 34 | 16 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | — | — | — | ESE 3 | NW 3 | WNW 8 | — | W 7 | — | — | WNW 4 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 |
133 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 55 | — | 36 | — | — | 26 | — | 9 | 24 | 40 | 17 | 51 | 92 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 35 | 35 | 1 | 135 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 0 |
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.










