
Surf Forecasts:
Pescaderos surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, WNW swell with 248 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. 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 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pescaderos over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.
It’s real quiet out there. We’re looking at a long stretch of tiny, weak waves with nothing to really grab your board for. The first week or more is basically a write-off for any decent paddle surfing.
Let’s start with Pescaderos. The water is a warm 68°F, which is *much warmer than normal* for this time of year, running about 6°F above average. You won’t be needing a thick wetsuit.
The first real chance, if you can call it that, is Thursday, 30 July morning. We’ve got a tiny 2ft swell from the SSW with a very long 15-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, but at this size, it’s just a pulse. The energy is moderate (368). The wind is a light 6 mph cross-onshore, so it’s bumpy. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, but the waves are barely there and the conditions are only marginal. The afternoon drops to 2ft, same direction, with a cross-shore breeze.
Friday the 31st is the same story – 2ft from the S in the morning, dropping to 2ft in the afternoon. The period drops to 12 seconds, and the energy is still moderate (320). Light cross-shore wind, but again, the waves are just too small.
Saturday, 1 August the swell switches to a short-period 3ft from the WNW with only 8 seconds between waves. The energy drops (234), and the conditions are poor. It’s a beach break with weak, messy waves. The light cross-shore wind won’t help.
Sunday, 2 August, shows a slight bump to 4ft from the WNW, but the period is still short at 9 seconds. The energy picks up a bit (312), but the morning has a cross-onshore wind making it lumpy. Still marginal.
From Monday, 3 August all the way through to Friday, 14 August, it’s the same pattern. Swell heights are between 1ft and 2ft, periods are mostly short, and the energy is weak to moderate (values between 54 and 260). Winds are light, mostly cross-shore, but the wave quality is consistently poor. There’s a little bump in energy around the 7th and 8th of August when a very long-period 19-second swell shows up, but it’s only 1ft – more of a gentle rise than anything you can ride. The longer period might make it look a bit more lined up, but there’s no power.
If you’re into kite surfing, the light winds and small, choppy waves might still be fun for a session, but for a paddle surfer, this is a long dry spell. Stick to the flat water or wait for the next proper system.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSE 14 | S 12 | S 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 9 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 8 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
204 | 144 | 198 | 151 | 108 | 76 | 118 | 115 | 207 | 211 | 211 | 211 | 173 | 141 | 109 | 86 | 79 | 51 | 33 | 46 | 40 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 11:48AM1.56m | 10:37PM2.09m | 12:14PM1.60m | 11:12PM1.97m | 12:40PM1.66m | 11:50PM1.82m | 1:08PM1.72m | 00:33AM1.63m | 1:39PM1.79m | 1:30AM1.44m | 2:17PM1.85m | 2:54AM1.26m | 3:07PM1.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:33PM1.04m | 5:43AM0.28m | 5:15PM1.01m | 6:08AM0.38m | 6:01PM0.99m | 6:32AM0.50m | 6:55PM0.95m | 6:57AM0.64m | 8:01PM0.90m | 7:23AM0.79m | 9:22PM0.82m | 7:54AM0.94m | 10:54PM0.69m | ||||||||
6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 27 | 27 | 22 |
Feels °C | 26 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 27 | 27 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 12 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | SW 13 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 7 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 6 | W 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
63 | 144 | 116 | 87 | 108 | 55 | 118 | 115 | 162 | 211 | 44 | 211 | 173 | 141 | 44 | 86 | 79 | 18 | 33 | 32 | 40 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | S 12 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | S 12 | WNW 5 | SSW 11 | SSW 9 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 11 | WNW 8 |
204 | 96 | 198 | 151 | 81 | 76 | 99 | 69 | 19 | 41 | 8 | 44 | 44 | 26 | 37 | 28 | 29 | 51 | 32 | 13 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | SSE 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SW 14 | S 13 | SW 14 | SW 18 | S 12 | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 9 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SW 20 |
101 | 77 | 82 | 82 | 34 | 39 | 17 | 47 | 82 | 29 | 49 | 11 | 26 | 41 | 23 | 36 | 34 | 30 | 27 | 12 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 8 | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | WNW 10 | — | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | — | W 8 | W 4 |
— | 68 | — | — | 85 | 103 | — | — | 207 | — | 211 | — | — | — | 109 | — | 3 | 4 | — | 46 | 13 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 263 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 150 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 1 | 2 | 143 | 1 | 2 | 150 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











