Surf Forecasts:
Tarpits surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 21s period, SSW swell with 305 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 16s period with W 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s 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 0.6m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tarpits over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me tell you straight up – Tarpits is not giving us anything to get excited about over the next 16 days. The whole forecast window is filled with poor surf conditions, and the few times it’s labeled “marginal” it’s still just not worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny, with heights mostly between 1.0 ft and 3 ft, and the direction is mostly SSW or SW, which is actually the optimum direction for this spot, but the energy is all over the place – sometimes moderate (162), sometimes strong (509) – yet the wave quality just isn’t there. The periods are often long, even up to 24 seconds, which at a beach-and-reef setup like Tarpits can make it break too straight and mushy. The wind is light most of the time, occasionally cross-on, but it’s not enough to clean up the weak, poor-quality surf. Water temperature is sitting at 67°F, which is a whopping 5°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s really unusual, and it’s a sign something’s off. Honestly, this is one of those stretches where you’re better off doing something else. The break itself is fairly consistent, but when the surf is this poor, consistency doesn’t mean a thing. Don’t hold your breath – forecasts can change, but right now there’s nothing to chase.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 22°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 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) | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 24 | SW 24 | S 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 108 | 83 | 43 | 142 | 143 | 141 | 179 | 124 | 104 | 173 | 252 | 204 | 140 | 136 | 116 | 104 | 102 | 166 | 217 | 166 | 180 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:03PM1.83m | 1:29AM1.71m | 2:47PM1.86m | 2:38AM1.46m | 3:33PM1.88m | 4:14AM1.28m | 4:22PM1.90m | 6:21AM1.24m | 5:13PM1.91m | 8:03AM1.29m | 6:03PM1.95m | 8:58AM1.37m | 6:50PM2.00m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:52PM0.96m | 7:58AM0.57m | 9:11PM0.93m | 8:35AM0.79m | 10:40PM0.85m | 9:13AM0.97m | 00:03AM0.73m | 10:02AM1.12m | 1:07AM0.60m | 11:09AM1.22m | 1:55AM0.48m | 12:18PM1.26m | 2:35AM0.38m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 5 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | W 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 5 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 5 | SSW 13 | W 6 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
| kJ | 108 | 83 | 13 | 60 | 103 | 141 | 179 | 57 | 15 | 173 | 252 | 204 | 16 | 136 | 116 | 12 | 102 | 40 | 161 | 166 | 161 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 5 | W 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 16 | S 10 | SSW 10 | W 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 8 | SSE 13 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | S 13 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 9 | 5 | 43 | 142 | 143 | 12 | 4 | 124 | 53 | 33 | 13 | 26 | 140 | 11 | 58 | 104 | 26 | 166 | 22 | 15 | 22 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 16 | W 16 | S 11 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 16 | W 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | S 12 | W 13 | SSW 8 | SSE 13 | SSW 7 | SSE 12 | WSW 6 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SW 24 | SSW 21 |
| kJ | 45 | 44 | 23 | 8 | 5 | 69 | 36 | 36 | 104 | 28 | 12 | 13 | 6 | 35 | 5 | 52 | 4 | 66 | 217 | 141 | 180 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 7 | — | — | WNW 6 | — | — | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 4 | W 5 | W 6 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 18 | — | — | 13 | — | — | 3 | 36 | 7 | 47 | 49 | 40 | 54 | 52 | 20 | 13 | 119 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 121 | 4 | 0 | 121 | 4 | 0 | 85 | 4 | 0 | 121 | 4 | 0 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 285 | 0 | 30 | 4 | 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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