Seals surfForecast / CAL – Santa Barbara / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Thursday 21 May 2026 PDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Seals surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Seals sea temperature is
15.3° C
(Which is 1.0°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Seals this week:

The surf forecast for Seals over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (May 22) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s is also forecast. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Seals in the next 16 days are 1.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 27) at 11AM. 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 Tuesday (May 26) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Fri 22nd May)1.5ft (0.5m) 18s
Best Surf 8AM (Fri 22nd May)1.5ft (0.5m) 18s
Most Powerful11AM (Wed 27th May)4ft (1.2m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
Thu
28
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
2
1
0
2
1
1
2
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.6
W
11
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
17
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
15
1.8
WNW
6
1.4
WNW
8
1.2
WNW
12
1.1
WNW
12
1
WNW
11
0.9
WNW
11
0.8
WNW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
80
109
82
116
122
124
124
110
104
103
144
200
164
246
245
256
404
355
273
210
153
Wind (km/h)
0
N
10
S
10
SW
5
ESE
10
SSW
10
SW
0
NNW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
SW
20
W
15
NNW
10
WSW
25
WNW
15
NW
10
SSW
15
WSW
5
NNE
5
S
10
SW
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
on
cross-on
High Tide
2:18AM1.90m
5:05PM1.67m
3:40AM1.72m
5:51PM1.78m
5:05AM1.59m
6:28PM1.88m
6:24AM1.51m
7:00PM1.96m
7:33AM1.47m
7:29PM2.03m
8:33AM1.46m
7:56PM2.08m
9:25AM1.46m
Low Tide
8:33PM1.28m
9:51AM0.30m
10:16PM1.20m
10:46AM0.43m
11:45PM1.04m
11:36AM0.56m
00:52AM0.85m
12:19PM0.69m
1:44AM0.67m
12:57PM0.82m
2:27AM0.51m
1:31PM0.93m
3:05AM0.38m
2:04PM1.02m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:52
5:52
5:50
5:50
5:50
5:50
5:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:00
8:00
8:00
8:01
8:01
8:02
8:04
Temp °C
18
21
21
15
19
20
14
19
19
14
20
22
15
19
22
13
18
19
15
19
20
17
20
20
14
18
18
13
17
17
12
18
19
11
17
18
8
16
16
13
18
18
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WNW
11
0.6
WNW
11
0.4
SW
15
0.5
W
10
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
17
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
15
1.2
WNW
12
1.1
WNW
12
1
WNW
11
0.9
WNW
11
0.8
WNW
11
Energy kJ
47
91
54
51
122
124
124
110
104
103
144
200
164
246
240
167
404
355
273
210
153
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
18
0.3
S
13
0.5
SW
15
0.4
WNW
10
0.4
WNW
10
0.4
WNW
10
0.4
WNW
10
0.3
WNW
10
0.3
S
17
0.4
S
17
0.4
S
17
0.4
WNW
13
0.4
NW
12
0.1
W
16
0.3
NW
12
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
Energy kJ
55
109
29
116
33
33
34
33
19
53
87
92
67
39
5
25
160
115
113
105
105
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
18
0.3
SW
14
0.3
SW
18
0.3
S
12
0.3
S
12
0.2
S
12
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
11
0.2
WNW
16
0.4
NW
15
0.4
NW
14
0.4
S
16
0.1
S
9
0.2
S
9
0.1
S
9
0.1
S
9
0.1
S
9
0.1
W
24
0.2
WNW
21
0.4
NW
20
Energy kJ
80
32
49
25
25
11
9
9
9
25
54
51
81
2
6
1
2
2
11
44
97
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
WNW
5
0.6
W
11
0.3
W
3
0.5
WNW
9
0.4
WNW
9
1
W
4
1.1
WNW
5
0.7
WNW
6
1.8
WNW
6
1.4
WNW
8
0.3
SSE
2
Energy kJ
28
82
2
50
28
37
61
33
245
256
1
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
3
2
Distance (km)
0
302
10
0
128
10
0
43
10
0
10
319
0
10
44
0
151
43
0
128
10
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
3
2
3
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
3
2
3
1
2
2
4
3
3
2
2
6
3
3
4
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
6
5
5
8
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
6
6
6
7
8
9
9
8
7
  • 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 Seals Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Seals provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Seals can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Seals 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 (Seals) 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 Seals 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.

Seals is 8 km (5 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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