
Surf Forecasts:
Pescaderos surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 19s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 19s period, SW swell with 546 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pescaderos in the next 16 days are 0.9m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) 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 1.8m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 19s |
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 the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, I gotta be straight with you – this forecast is a bit of a flat spell. We’re looking at a long stretch of marginal conditions before things maybe, just maybe, show a little life. The first real surf we can talk about is on Wednesday, July 22nd, and even then, it’s a quiet start.
The water is sitting at 68°F which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a bath out there, but that’s about the only thing that’s pumping.
Pescaderos is the only game in town, and it’s a beginner-friendly spot, fairly consistent. It’s fairly exposed to the swell, so it catches what’s around.
From Wednesday the 22nd through to the end of July, we’ve got a whole lot of nothing special. Wave heights are hovering around 2 ft to 3 ft, mostly from the SSW or SSE. The energy is moderate, with combined energy readings bouncing between 252 and 692. The problem is the wind. Through the first week, we’re stuck with light cross-shore breezes mostly, which keeps the surface clean, but the swell is just too weak and short-period to really get the heart racing. The period is mostly between 13 and 14 seconds, which is okay, but nothing to write home about. Thursday the 24th does have a very long period of 24 seconds coming in from the SSW, but the wave height is only 2 ft, so it’s gonna be a glassy, slow, and gutless wave. That’s a tease.
The best stretch looks like it might be around the very end of the first week into the second. On Sunday, August 2nd, the afternoon session shows a clean 3 ft swell from the south, with a gentle cross-offshore breeze (9 mph). The energy is moderate (330). Not a standout, but it’s the best looking clean window we have. Then, on Monday, August 3rd, the afternoon brings a bigger push: 6 ft from the WNW, but with a short period of only 6 seconds. That’s windswell, and it’s gonna be a bit choppy and messy. The energy is moderate (408). At 6 ft, it’s getting a bit big for total beginners, but for the average surfer, it’s worth a look if you like a punchy, sloppy wave.
After that, the forecast drops off again into poor conditions with onshore winds and weak, small surf, nothing over 4 ft, and low energy readings (down to 147). It’s a sad end to the outlook.
So, if you’re desperate, Sunday afternoon, August 2nd is the cleanest, most consistent pick. For a bit more size, but messier, try Monday afternoon, August 3rd. That’s your best bet. For the rest of it, you’re better off waiting for the next forecast.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 22°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 13 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | SSW 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
215 | 138 | 137 | 245 | 189 | 368 | 141 | 467 | 404 | 288 | 546 | 384 | 327 | 399 | 408 | 325 | 377 | 434 | 377 | 274 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross | off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 5:17PM1.89m | 8:06AM1.27m | 6:06PM1.92m | 9:02AM1.34m | 6:53PM1.97m | 9:37AM1.39m | 7:36PM2.03m | 10:04AM1.43m | 8:16PM2.10m | 10:30AM1.46m | 8:53PM2.15m | 10:56AM1.49m | 9:29PM2.17m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:11AM0.58m | 11:12AM1.20m | 1:59AM0.47m | 12:20PM1.24m | 2:39AM0.37m | 1:15PM1.23m | 3:14AM0.29m | 2:00PM1.20m | 3:47AM0.23m | 2:39PM1.15m | 4:18AM0.20m | 3:16PM1.11m | 4:48AM0.19m | |||||||
— | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 32 | 25 | 30 | 32 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 20 | 28 | 31 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 31 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 25 | 28 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 13 | S 12 | S 12 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 21 | SW 19 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 17 | WNW 8 | SSW 17 | WNW 9 |
215 | 138 | 137 | 110 | 78 | 121 | 118 | 120 | 112 | 288 | 546 | 144 | 109 | 144 | 118 | 67 | 377 | 94 | 377 | 218 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | SSE 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | WNW 8 | SW 17 | S 19 | SW 16 |
19 | 116 | 104 | 69 | 68 | 165 | 116 | 467 | 404 | 29 | 46 | 384 | 327 | 399 | 408 | 325 | 79 | 434 | 112 | 274 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 26 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SW 24 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 10 | S 18 | SSW 11 | S 16 |
15 | 58 | 13 | 105 | 65 | 368 | 141 | 66 | 44 | 8 | 46 | 17 | 23 | 23 | 35 | 129 | 10 | 98 | 11 | 130 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | W 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | — |
188 | 239 | 115 | 245 | 189 | 113 | 110 | — | — | 137 | 185 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 115 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 77 | 0 | 0 | 77 | 0 | 143 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 143 | 23 | 0 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 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.










