Surf Forecasts:
Pescaderos surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with 191 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. 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 0.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pescaderos over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab your board and let’s talk about the next stretch of waves here at Pescaderos. To be honest, the next couple of weeks are going to test your patience. It’s not looking like a classic run of surf, but there's a glimmer of hope if you're willing to wait it out.
We're starting off with a real nothing-burger. The surf this week is tiny and mostly messy. The water is a balmy 70°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won't need a thick suit, but you'll be doing more floating than surfing. The swell is weak, coming in with only moderate energy (191-296). It's small, in the 1ft to 2ft range, and with short-period, crossed-up winds, it's just not doing anything. Tuesday and Wednesday offer the only technically “surfable” waves, but they're ordinary at best. If you're desperate for a paddle, you could get wet, but don't expect any real rides. The period is long, but the size just isn't there to push through the ripples.
The weekend and early next week don't offer any relief. The swell stays small, around 1ft, with light cross-shore winds. The energy is still weak to moderate (133-217), and the poor quality means there's nothing worth getting excited about. This is a real dry spell. We're looking at a solid 10-day stretch of poor to marginal conditions. You're better off tuning up your board or checking the surf report again later.
But don't write this fortnight off completely. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's shining on Saturday the 29th of August. The afternoon is the standout. The swell picks up slightly to a clean 2ft from the SSW, and the wind swings offshore and glassy. The conditions are described as "clean" and "good," and the wave energy jumps to a solid moderate 366. This will be the best surf of the period. It's not huge, but it will be clean and organized, a perfect contrast to the junk we'll see all week.
Following that, Sunday the 30th has a slight bump in size, with the morning showing 3ft from the SSW and even stronger energy (474), but the wind stays cross-shore, so it might not be as clean. The long period (15-16 seconds) means this is proper groundswell, which can be a bit straight at a beach break like this, but the cleaner conditions on Saturday make it the prime pick.
So there you have it. The first ten days are a write-off, the second week is more of the same, but that Saturday afternoon, August 29th, is your window. It's a promising, but still distant, light at the end of the tunnel. Keep your expectations low and your patience high. This is a spot that can turn on a dime, and it tends not to stay this flat for long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 23°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
80 | 153 | 120 | 186 | 164 | 110 | 118 | 120 | 115 | 59 | 58 | 119 | 67 | 73 | 100 | 89 | 79 | 112 | 109 | 100 | 135 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 2:22PM1.84m | 4:21AM1.20m | 3:14PM1.80m | 4:21PM1.79m | 8:37AM1.33m | 5:31PM1.81m | 8:55AM1.39m | 6:29PM1.88m | 9:13AM1.44m | 7:17PM1.97m | 9:31AM1.49m | 7:57PM2.04m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 10:00PM0.75m | 7:51AM1.12m | 11:30PM0.69m | 00:43AM0.59m | 10:39AM1.31m | 1:34AM0.49m | 12:14PM1.30m | 2:13AM0.40m | 1:10PM1.24m | 2:46AM0.33m | 1:52PM1.16m | 3:15AM0.27m | |||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 29 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 26 |
Feels °C | 27 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | W 10 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 |
44 | 153 | 120 | 75 | 164 | 50 | 60 | 40 | 49 | 43 | 25 | 119 | 67 | 73 | 100 | 67 | 57 | 112 | 109 | 100 | 135 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | SW 13 | NW 15 | SSW 15 | S 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 12 | S 13 |
80 | 44 | 9 | 186 | 43 | 110 | 118 | 120 | 115 | 59 | 58 | 57 | 55 | 42 | 71 | 33 | 79 | 65 | 37 | 29 | 55 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 9 | SW 19 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WSW 18 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSE 10 |
67 | 2 | 15 | 20 | 18 | 31 | 32 | 46 | 55 | 38 | 40 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 58 | 89 | 20 | 38 | 41 | 36 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | — | WNW 6 | — | W 9 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 |
55 | 86 | 113 | — | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | — | 23 | — | 61 | 36 | 36 | 110 | 122 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 150 | 1 | 1 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 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.











