Surf Forecasts:
Tarpits surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 18s period, SW swell with 154 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tarpits in the next 16 days are 0.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tarpits over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let’s talk Tarpits over the next couple weeks.
To be straight with you, this stretch is looking mostly flat and disappointing. Water temp’s at 71°, which is 8° warmer than normal for this time of year – really unusual.
We start Monday the 14th with a weak 3ft from the west, period at 10 seconds. Energy is moderate at 181. Wind is light but onshore, so it’s not clean. Tuesday and Wednesday drop even smaller, down to 1ft, though the period jumps to 17 seconds Wednesday – that’s a long-period groundswell, but with no height, it’s not gonna do anything. Energy numbers are mostly under 200.
Thursday the 17th through the weekend stays stuck on 1ft to 2ft with periods dropping from 16 seconds down to 12 seconds. Winds are light and mostly onshore, so it’s clean but gutless. A few afternoons get a gentle cross-onshore that messes up the surface.
Sunday the 20th shows a tiny bump – still only 2ft but energy hits 261, the best we’ll see. Still not enough. The whole second week from the 21st to the 26th stays in that 1ft to 2ft range, with period dropping from 17 seconds down to 13 seconds. Wind stays light but mostly onshore or cross-on.
Finally, Sunday the 27th we get 2ft from the west at 9 seconds, energy at 176. Better but not great. Monday the 28th pushes to 3ft to 3ft from the west, energy hitting 270 in the afternoon – moderate energy, but period is only 9 seconds, so it’s short-period windswell. Winds are light and onshore in the morning, then gentle cross-onshore in the afternoon. Tuesday the 29th stays around 2ft but period drops to 7 seconds – really short and weak.
Best on offer? Monday the 28th afternoon with 3ft from the west and energy at 270. Wind is cross-onshore, so it won’t be glassy, but it’s the biggest we’ll see. For a beginner spot like Tarpits, it’s small enough to be safe, but with poor surf conditions flagged all through, don’t expect much.
If you’re into kites, this might be more interesting than paddle surfing. For the rest of us? It’s a long flat run. Forecasts can change, but right now, leave the board at home.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 19°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 115 | 78 | 76 | 78 | 50 | 38 | 119 | 74 | 100 | 98 | 85 | 84 | 96 | 96 | 58 | 81 | 111 | 81 | 154 | 152 | 147 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-off | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:54AM2.02m | 00:57AM1.46m | 12:25PM1.96m | 2:11AM1.31m | 1:01PM1.87m | 4:59AM1.25m | 1:50PM1.79m | 3:09PM1.73m | 8:19AM1.43m | 4:43PM1.73m | 8:15AM1.49m | 5:54PM1.79m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 6:48PM0.56m | 5:56AM1.00m | 7:46PM0.62m | 6:12AM1.14m | 9:01PM0.68m | 5:43AM1.25m | 10:34PM0.68m | 11:55PM0.62m | 10:35AM1.41m | 00:49AM0.54m | 12:10PM1.34m | 1:27AM0.47m | |||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 115 | 78 | 76 | 78 | 50 | 31 | 119 | 74 | 100 | 98 | 85 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 20 | 16 | 22 | 47 | 37 | 35 | 41 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | S 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 49 | 48 | 47 | 41 | 39 | 38 | 12 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 84 | 41 | 36 | 35 | 81 | 111 | 81 | 154 | 152 | 147 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | S 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | SSW 21 | S 11 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 38 | 37 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 45 | 21 | 96 | 96 | 58 | 34 | 33 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 32 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 5 | — | SSE 2 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | W 5 | W 4 | W 5 | — | — | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 |
| kJ | — | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 21 | 14 | 34 | — | — | 11 | 59 | 31 | 45 | 59 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 112 | 4 | 0 | 37 | 121 | 0 | 37 | 30 | 0 | 85 | 4 | 0 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 76 | 4 | 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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