Surf Forecasts:
Tarpits surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SSW swell with 348 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tarpits this week:
The surf forecast for Tarpits over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tarpits in the next 16 days are 0.8m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tarpits over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, same forecast, but in feet and miles for you imperial crew.
The next stretch for Tarpits is looking pretty darn quiet. The first real suggestion comes on Saturday, 29 August, and it’s not much. You’re looking at a dry spell from now until then.
Thursday and Friday are complete duds. Waves under 2 feet, with a little cross-shore or onshore breeze making it messy. Just, nothing going on.
Saturday, 29 August, there’s a 2ft swell from the SSW, with a period of 17 seconds – that’s a long period groundswell. The combined energy is moderate at 401. The morning looks good with a light offshore wind from the SW, so the surface will be clean. It is small and marginal though, and that long period might make the waves a bit fat and straight over this beach and reef setup. It could be fun for a quiet, small-wave session. The afternoon gets a cross-onshore wind and chop, so go early.
Sunday, 30 August, is more of the same: 2ft from the SSW, 15-second period, weaker energy (276), and a window of offshore wind in the morning. Still just marginal.
From Tuesday, 1 September, onward, it’s all small stuff. Most swells under 3ft, periods from 10 to 14 seconds, with light to gentle cross-onshore winds. Combined energy drops as low as 117 (weak) on Tuesday morning. There’s a little bump on Thursday, 3 September, with waves up to 4ft from the SSW and energy up to 560 (moderate), but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, so it’ll be messy and no good.
Honestly, nothing here is a standout. Saturday morning, 29 August, is the only clean, glassy window worth a look. For the rest, it’s a long, flat spell, which is common around here when the swell just doesn’t show.
Stay patient, and I’ll see you in the water.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 10 | S 11 | W 9 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | WNW 6 | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 119 | 50 | 89 | 99 | 140 | 146 | 270 | 261 | 229 | 220 | 193 | 140 | 116 | 115 | 76 | 106 | 93 | 90 | 103 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:06PM2.15m | 10:24AM1.70m | 9:41PM2.12m | 10:46AM1.77m | 10:18PM2.03m | 11:08AM1.85m | 10:57PM1.90m | 11:33AM1.91m | 11:39PM1.74m | 12:02PM1.97m | 00:30AM1.55m | 12:36PM2.00m | 1:36AM1.36m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:03AM0.26m | 3:39PM0.89m | 4:27AM0.32m | 4:17PM0.81m | 4:51AM0.41m | 4:58PM0.74m | 5:14AM0.53m | 5:43PM0.69m | 5:38AM0.67m | 6:35PM0.66m | 6:02AM0.83m | 7:38PM0.64m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 |
Feels °C | 30 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | W 8 | S 11 | W 9 | W 8 | W 6 | W 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 |
| kJ | 119 | 31 | 89 | 99 | 42 | 21 | 58 | 106 | 127 | 95 | 55 | 59 | 42 | 15 | 76 | 106 | 93 | 90 | 103 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | S 10 | W 9 | S 10 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 5 | W 5 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 |
| kJ | 29 | 50 | 39 | 53 | 140 | 146 | 270 | 261 | 229 | 220 | 193 | 140 | 116 | 115 | 69 | 8 | 4 | 17 | 30 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | S 12 | SW 14 | SW 17 | S 10 | S 9 | W 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | WNW 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | W 5 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | W 9 |
| kJ | 54 | 46 | 54 | 76 | 28 | 26 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 28 | 17 | 28 | 54 | 9 | 69 | 17 | 12 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | WNW 6 | W 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | — | W 5 | WNW 6 | — | W 4 | — | W 3 | W 5 | W 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | 109 | 29 | 98 | 198 | — | 51 | 91 | — | 6 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 285 | 0 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 73 | 4 | 0 | 86 | 76 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tarpits Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tarpits provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tarpits can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tarpits 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 (Tarpits) 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 Tarpits 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.
Tarpits is 16 km (10 miles) from the city of Santa Ana. If you plan a vacation in Santa Barbara, look for hotels and other accommodation in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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