Surf Forecasts:
Tarpits surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, S swell with 674 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 13s period with SSW 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tarpits in the next 16 days are 1.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 1ft (0.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tarpits over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s cut to the chase – the next sixteen days at Tarpits are mostly a bust. There’s no real surf to speak of for the first few days, so don’t bother checking the tides.
Wednesday the 2nd through Thursday the 3rd is a total washout. Tiny waves, around 1 to 2 feet, with a lot of onshore and cross-onshore wind. The water’s about average temperature for this time of year, but the energy is weak – we’re looking at combined swell energy readings from 121 to 167 (weak). Not worth a second glance.
Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th see a little bump. The swell climbs to 2 to 2 feet out of the S and SSW, but the wind is still light cross-onshore or onshore. The wave state is marginal, with combined energy rising to 285–397 (moderate). Still, it’s iffy.
Now, Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th – this is the only window that matters. The swell builds to 3 to 4 feet from the S, with a solid period of 13 to 14 seconds. That’s a groundswell, and combined energy hits 389–660 (moderate to strong). Monday afternoon is the one: light offshore wind from the SW, 4 feet of swell, and a 14-second period. It’ll have some shape, but keep in mind, with a longer period groundswell, Tarpits – a beach and reef setup – can make the waves break a bit straight. Still, it’s the best we’ll see. The morning of Monday the 7th is close behind with 4 feet and a 14-second period, just a touch of cross-onshore wind.
After that, it’s a slow slide. From Tuesday the 8th onward, the swell drops to 2 to 3 feet, the period shortens, and those cross-onshore winds return. Combined energy falls back under 300 (weak to moderate). By Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th, we’re at 0.6 to 1.0 feet with a very long period of 23 seconds – just a ghost of a groundswell with no power. The energy is a measly 35–78 (weak).
So, the standout is Monday the 7th. The afternoon session, with 4 feet of S swell, a 14-second period, and that light offshore wind, is your only real chance at clean, surfable waves. The morning is a solid second choice. Everything else is a hard pass.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 5 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | WNW 6 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 53 | 56 | 80 | 126 | 62 | 57 | 211 | 188 | 179 | 223 | 173 | 204 | 225 | 222 | 383 | 462 | 585 | 646 | 483 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 1:36AM1.36m | 1:19PM2.01m | 3:25AM1.23m | 2:18PM1.99m | 6:21AM1.26m | 3:39PM2.00m | 7:32AM1.37m | 5:05PM2.05m | 8:04AM1.49m | 6:19PM2.14m | 8:33AM1.60m | 7:19PM2.22m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:28AM0.98m | 8:59PM0.62m | 6:57AM1.12m | 10:35PM0.55m | 7:50AM1.25m | 11:59PM0.41m | 10:21AM1.31m | 1:00AM0.27m | 12:05PM1.24m | 1:49AM0.16m | 1:13PM1.10m | 2:30AM0.11m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | |
 | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 5 | S 12 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | 18 | 12 | 80 | 35 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 188 | 179 | 206 | 173 | 171 | 225 | 222 | 383 | 462 | 585 | 646 | 483 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSE 13 | S 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 19 | SW 19 | W 10 |
| kJ | 33 | 56 | 67 | 71 | 62 | 57 | 211 | 60 | 89 | 223 | 162 | 204 | 88 | 85 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 14 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SW 16 | W 10 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 13 | W 5 | SW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 5 | W 4 | SW 10 | SW 10 | W 11 | — | — |
| kJ | 17 | 42 | 2 | 75 | 58 | 34 | 47 | 28 | 67 | 12 | 29 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 6 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 5 | W 4 | W 4 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 53 | 11 | 18 | 126 | 21 | 28 | 58 | 9 | 9 | — | — | — | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 30 | 54 | 0 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 76 | 4 | 0 | 148 | 4 | 0 | 38 | 17 | 0 | 35 | 30 | 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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