Surf Forecasts:
Pescaderos surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SSW swell with 331 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 17s period with SW 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pescaderos in the next 16 days are 0.9m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pescaderos over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down what’s coming up for your local stretch. Gotta be straight—this 16-day run is mostly a waiting game. There’s no proper swell on the horizon for the first chunk, and most of what we do get is small and pretty average. That big gap you see? That’s from now until about the end of August, with only weak, marginal waves on offer. We’ve got a few brighter spots in the second week, but it’s nothing to get overly excited about just yet.
Let’s start from the beginning.
Pescaderos is the only spot in the mix, a beginner-friendly break that’s fairly consistent but can get a few people out there sometimes. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.
Through the last days of August and into the first week of September, it’s a slog. Mostly tiny waves under 3 ft, short-period junk, and the combined energy is low to moderate—best example is Friday the 28th morning with a 3 ft swell from the WNW at 8 seconds and combined energy of just 353, but the wind is cross and the conditions are ordinary. The afternoons are cleaner but the swell drops away. Saturday the 29th morning has a bit of long-period groundswell from the SW at 17 seconds and 2 ft, energy jumps to 595, but again winds are cross and the surf is marginal. That long period means the waves will have more shape but longer waits between sets, and at a beach setup like this, it might break a bit straight.
You’ll see a lot of “poor” and “marginal” flags through here. The wind is mostly light and cross or cross-off, which keeps things clean, but there just isn’t enough size or power to make it worth paddling out unless you’re desperate for a splash.
Now, if you’re willing to wait, there’s a small standout toward the end of the run. On Wednesday, September 9th afternoon, things finally tick up. Pescaderos sees a 4 ft swell from the south at 12 seconds, combined energy of 485, and a clean cross-off wind from the west at 15 km/h. This is the best window of the whole forecast. It’s still small, but the conditions are good and it’s surfable. Thursday the 10th afternoon is similar—4 ft from the south at 9 seconds, clean with light offshore wind. These are your best bets, but keep your expectations in check; it’s not a pumping session.
After that, the swell fades again through the weekend and into the 12th, with small, poor waves and light onshore winds. Not much to write home about.
Honestly, for most of these 16 days, the swells are too small and weak to do much with. If you’re a beginner, the later afternoons with clean conditions and waist-high waves might be okay for a lesson. For anyone else, this is a solid stretch to tune up your gear, check the forecasts again, and hope the next pulse delivers more.
Stay patient,
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Fri morning, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
75 | 127 | 68 | 312 | 302 | 261 | 255 | 249 | 218 | 264 | 116 | 115 | 71 | 68 | 99 | 134 | 134 | 158 | 150 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | off | cross-on | cross | off |
High Tide | 9:45PM2.07m | 10:51AM1.73m | 10:22PM1.99m | 11:14AM1.81m | 11:01PM1.86m | 11:39AM1.87m | 11:45PM1.70m | 12:07PM1.93m | 00:36AM1.51m | 12:42PM1.96m | 1:45AM1.33m | 1:25PM1.97m | 3:36AM1.21m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:32AM0.32m | 4:22PM0.81m | 4:56AM0.41m | 5:03PM0.74m | 5:19AM0.53m | 5:49PM0.69m | 5:43AM0.68m | 6:42PM0.65m | 6:08AM0.82m | 7:45PM0.63m | 6:34AM0.97m | 9:06PM0.60m | |||||||
— | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 23 |
Feels °C | 30 | 32 | 33 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 13 |
55 | 43 | 26 | 312 | 302 | 261 | 255 | 249 | 218 | 264 | 116 | 115 | 71 | 59 | 99 | 134 | 134 | 158 | 121 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 10 | W 12 | W 11 | SSE 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | WNW 4 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 |
75 | 66 | 68 | 152 | 91 | 127 | 124 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 96 | 73 | 69 | 6 | 17 | 80 | 69 | 68 | 150 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | S 19 | W 10 | W 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | W 20 | S 9 | S 13 | SSE 10 | W 10 | WNW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 13 | WNW 10 | W 12 | S 10 |
65 | 117 | 35 | 27 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 90 | 20 | 8 | 5 | 68 | 31 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | W 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 |
— | 127 | 37 | 93 | 189 | 206 | 153 | 181 | 195 | 75 | 40 | 31 | 15 | 7 | 14 | 27 | 25 | 46 | 58 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 143 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 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.











