
Surf Forecasts:
Pescaderos surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, WNW swell with 424 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 5PM (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 Friday (Sep 11) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s. 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pescaderos over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey crew, Rusty here. Let’s break down the Pescaderos stretch for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be honest, there’s a lot of waiting around, but a couple of windows pop open if you’re keen.
Water temp is running about 72°F, which is a solid 8°F warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a real treat for a late-season paddle.
Your first real chance of getting wet is Sunday, September 13th in the morning. We’ve got some swell coming in at about 4ft from the WNW, with a short period of 9 seconds. The wind is a light cross-shore, so it’s not perfect but it’s workable. Combined energy is moderate at 347, so there’s some push behind it. It’s a marginal call, but it’s the first wave of the outlook worth mentioning. The afternoon fades away, so hit the water early.
Then it goes quiet again until Saturday, September 19th. The afternoon brings a small pulse of 2ft from the SW with a very long 18-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The wind is light cross-off, so conditions are clean. Combined energy is 237, not huge, but that long period gives you some glide. It’s a patient surfer’s wave.
The standout session is Sunday, September 20th afternoon. Same SW swell at 2ft with an 18-second period, but the energy jumps to 533 – that’s a solid moderate push. Wind is light cross-off from the WNW, so it’s clean and glassy. For the size, this is your best bet. Crowds can be a thing here sometimes, so get out early if you can.
Now, Monday, September 21st afternoon gets interesting but not for everyone. Swell jumps to 8ft from the WNW, but with a period of only 6 seconds – that’s choppy, short-period windswell. The wind is cross-off but blowing a fresh 19 mph, so it’s clean but powerful. Combined energy is a strong 705. That’s too big for beginners (over 5ft is expert territory) and with that short period and strong wind, this setup looks more fun for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.
From Tuesday, September 22nd onward, it’s all small, weak, and mostly forgettable. A few clean afternoons with cross-off winds, but wave heights are tiny – around 2ft to 2ft – and energy stays low. Nothing to get excited about in the second week.
So, bottom line: Sunday the 20th afternoon is your best shot for a clean, long-period small wave. Sunday the 13th morning is a backup if you’re itching. The rest is a flat spell. But don’t lose hope – things can change, and it usually doesn’t stay quiet forever around here.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 20°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 9 | SW 19 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SSE 12 | SSW 15 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
196 | 146 | 171 | 102 | 102 | 96 | 237 | 58 | 424 | 197 | 158 | 166 | 166 | 94 | 70 | 88 | 53 | 98 | 47 | 123 | 120 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | off |
High Tide | 10:33AM1.95m | 10:35PM1.96m | 11:01AM2.00m | 11:21PM1.79m | 11:30AM2.01m | 00:10AM1.60m | 11:59AM1.98m | 1:05AM1.43m | 12:31PM1.92m | 2:21AM1.29m | 1:08PM1.84m | 5:08AM1.24m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 4:32PM0.57m | 4:46AM0.47m | 5:18PM0.52m | 5:14AM0.65m | 6:05PM0.52m | 5:39AM0.83m | 6:55PM0.55m | 6:02AM0.99m | 7:53PM0.61m | 6:19AM1.13m | 9:08PM0.66m | 5:56AM1.24m | 10:39PM0.66m | ||||||||
6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 22 | 26 | 28 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 30 | 29 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 19 | 25 | 26 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | WNW 6 | SW 15 | WNW 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | SSE 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
196 | 67 | 171 | 62 | 102 | 96 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 197 | 158 | 166 | 166 | 94 | 70 | 48 | 33 | 19 | 47 | 123 | 120 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 18 | SSW 15 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 7 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 |
24 | 146 | 42 | 102 | 59 | 29 | 58 | 58 | 56 | 48 | 47 | 75 | 65 | 38 | 39 | 88 | 38 | 98 | 18 | 46 | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | WSW 16 | S 9 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 3 | SSE 10 | S 18 | S 17 | S 12 | SW 14 | SW 21 | SW 20 |
17 | 51 | 14 | 35 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 25 | 2 | 27 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 1 | 9 | 55 | 53 | 26 | 31 | 72 | 104 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | — | — | WNW 5 | ESE 2 | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | WNW 4 |
30 | 107 | 59 | — | 87 | 131 | 237 | 263 | 424 | — | — | 24 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 15 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 35 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 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.










