Pescaderos Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.86° W

Pescaderos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Pescaderos sea temperature is
17.9° C
1.4° 

Pescaderos surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Pescaderos surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, WNW swell with 371 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 8PM (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 Monday (Jul 13) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 13th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf 2AM (Fri 17th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 9s
Most Powerful11PM (Thu 16th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pescaderos over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Imperial version

Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – the next 16 days at Pescaderos are a mixed bag, and honestly, not a lot to get properly excited about. It’s a real slow start, and for the first several days, the surf is just not happening. The first real glimmer of something surfable doesn't pop up until Wednesday, July 15th, and even then, it’s marginal.

So, let’s break it down. The first few days, from Monday, July 13th through to Tuesday, July 14th, are a total write-off. Tiny, weak swell with poor surf conditions. The water temp is sitting at 64°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s about the only consolation.

We finally see a pulse on Wednesday, July 15th. The morning brings a 3ft swell from the WNW, but the period is a short, weak 7 seconds, so it’s going to be a bit crumbly. The energy is moderate (267). The afternoon bumps up a bit with 5ft from the same direction, but again, a short period of 6 seconds. The wind is a light cross-off, which will keep it clean, but the short period means it’s not going to have much punch. It’s still a marginal day, but it’s the best we’ve seen so far.

Thursday, July 16th, is the first day that genuinely catches my eye. The morning is a bit messy with 4ft from the WNW, but the afternoon is where it’s at. We get 5ft from the WNW, an 8-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 419. The wind is a light cross-off, so it’s clean. The forecast says "expect good surf conditions." This is the standout of the whole window. If you’ve got a window, Thursday afternoon at Pescaderos is the one to aim for. The swell is coming from the WNW, which is close to the optimum from the WSW, so it’s a decent match.

After that, the week rolls into a pattern of small, marginal surf. Friday, July 17th, through to Sunday, July 20th, sees a mix of 2ft to 4ft swells, mostly from the SW and WNW, with light cross or cross-onshore winds. The energy is moderate, but nothing is clean enough to get the heart racing. The waves are there, but the quality is just ordinary.

Then, a bit of a surprise on Wednesday, July 22nd. It’s still small, but the swell direction swings to the SSW, and the period is a long 14 seconds. The energy is a moderate 323. The winds are light cross-shore, so it’s not blown out, but the swell is small. It’s a classic case of long-period groundswell that might break a bit straight at the beach, but it’s worth a look if you’re keen.

The next real flicker of life comes on Thursday, July 23rd. The morning is a bit messy with a 3ft SSE swell and a cross-onshore wind, but the afternoon is a total gem. The wind drops to absolute glass – 0 mph – and the swell is 3ft from the SSE with a 14-second period. The energy is strong (436), and the conditions are "glassy." This is the second best of the whole run. If you can get out on Thursday afternoon, July 23rd, it’s going to be a beautiful, clean session.

The final week, from July 24th to 28th, is a slow fade. The swell drops back to 2ft to 3ft, mostly from the S and SSW, with light cross winds. The energy is moderate, but the quality is just "marginal" or "ordinary." The period on the 26th and 27th is long (19 seconds and 18 seconds), which suggests proper groundswell, but the size is too small to make the most of it. The 28th is another small, forgettable day.

So, to sum it up: the best on offer is Thursday afternoon, July 16th, with 5ft of clean, cross-off WNW swell, and a close second is Thursday afternoon, July 23rd, with glassy conditions and a 3ft SSE groundswell. Everything else is small, marginal, and not worth the drive unless you’re desperate. The crowds at Pescaderos are sometimes an issue, but on these days, it’s likely manageable.

This is Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.3
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
1
WNW
7
1.5
WNW
6
1.5
WNW
6
1.2
WNW
8
1.5
WNW
8
1.4
WNW
9
1.1
WNW
9
0.9
WNW
8
0.4
WNW
17
0.6
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.5
WNW
16
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
0.5
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
139
141
68
44
49
109
111
167
169
207
246
293
197
112
95
194
159
142
238
238
130
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
WNW
10
SW
15
WSW
10
NNW
10
WSW
15
WNW
10
NNW
10
SW
10
W
5
E
10
SW
5
SW
10
ESE
5
SW
10
WSW
5
SE
10
SW
15
WSW
5
NE
Wind State
cross
cross
glassy
cross
cross
off
cross
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
glassy
High Tide
10:38AM1.52m
9:15PM2.51m
11:20AM1.58m
10:06PM2.48m
12:03PM1.64m
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
Low Tide
2:53PM1.07m
4:42AM-0.16m
3:49PM1.03m
5:26AM-0.12m
4:46PM0.99m
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
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:56
5:56
5:58
5:58
5:58
6:00
6:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:13
8:12
8:12
8:10
8:10
8:09
8:09
 mm
1
Temp °C
25
25
23
28
30
29
30
32
28
28
30
26
24
24
20
24
24
20
24
24
23
Feels °C
26
25
23
27
28
26
29
30
24
27
29
25
25
25
22
25
25
20
24
23
22
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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