Surf Forecasts:
Tarpits surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SW swell with 312 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tarpits in the next 16 days are 0.7m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. 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 (Sun 9th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tarpits over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead for the Tarpits. We’re looking at a near-blank run for the next several weeks, so don’t get your hopes up for any real highlights.
The water at Tarpits is sitting at a very unusual 70°F right now, which is much warmer than normal for the time of year – feels like summer has stuck around.
We kick off Sunday, August 9th, with tiny 1ft swell from the SSW. The wind is light and onshore, but the wave comment is clear: poor surf conditions. There’s hardly any energy in the water (102) and it’s not going to improve. Monday the 10th is the same story – 1ft, cross-onshore breeze, and scores of zero. Tuesday the 11th drops even further to 0.7ft in the morning, though the period is a very long 19 seconds. That’s a groundswell, but it’s so weak (89) that it’s basically a glassy lake. The afternoon picks up a little energy (142) but still only 1ft and onshore wind.
The pattern continues through the whole week. From Wednesday the 12th through to Sunday the 16th, we see swell heights hovering between 1ft and 2ft, with periods averaging 14-18 seconds. The combined energy climbs a bit, hitting 263 on the 16th, but the wind is consistently onshore or cross-onshore. Every single entry is marked as “poor surf conditions.” The swell is coming from the SSW or SW, which is the optimum direction for Tarpits, but it’s just not enough to make anything rideable.
The second week doesn’t get any better. From Monday the 17th through to the end of the outlook on the 24th, the swell stays mostly between 1ft and 2ft, with a slight bump to 2ft-3ft around the 22nd and 23rd. The period drops to 9 seconds on those days, which is short-period windswell, and the energy stays moderate (125-199). The wind is mostly light and onshore, and the verdict remains the same: poor surf.
There is one slight glimmer on the 24th. We get a 1ft swell from the SW with a long 18-second period, and energy at 142, but it’s still onshore and the quality is poor. Honestly, nothing in this 16-day window is worth paddling out for. For a break that is fairly consistent, this is a real bummer, but it happens. The forecasts can change, so keep your eyes peeled, but right now, save the wax.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 86 | 84 | 82 | 73 | 59 | 58 | 35 | 80 | 79 | 73 | 66 | 65 | 64 | 118 | 115 | 84 | 124 | 312 | 173 | 226 | 166 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:57AM1.47m | 7:21PM2.36m | 9:33AM1.56m | 8:16PM2.44m | 10:07AM1.66m | 9:06PM2.45m | 10:41AM1.74m | 9:54PM2.39m | 11:15AM1.82m | 10:40PM2.25m | 11:49AM1.88m | 11:27PM2.04m | 12:23PM1.92m | 00:15AM1.80m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:56PM1.17m | 2:53AM0.01m | 1:59PM1.08m | 3:35AM-0.06m | 2:54PM0.97m | 4:14AM-0.05m | 3:46PM0.87m | 4:51AM0.04m | 4:37PM0.80m | 5:26AM0.18m | 5:28PM0.76m | 5:58AM0.37m | 6:22PM0.74m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 29 | 30 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 86 | 84 | 82 | 73 | 59 | 58 | 33 | 80 | 79 | 73 | 66 | 65 | 64 | 118 | 115 | 84 | 81 | 312 | 173 | 226 | 166 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 4 | W 4 | W 7 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 12 | W 11 | S 12 | S 11 | W 7 | W 8 | S 11 | W 7 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | W 7 | SW 11 | SW 10 | W 4 |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 37 | 37 | 35 | 29 | 21 | 25 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 21 | 10 | 71 | 124 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 20 | W 7 | WNW 9 | W 6 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | W 6 | SW 13 | S 11 | S 11 | W 5 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 33 | 14 | 2 | 27 | 21 | 21 | 5 | 18 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 8 | 27 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | SW 9 | — | — | S 9 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | W 9 | — | W 8 | — | — | W 6 | WNW 3 | W 7 | W 3 | W 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 13 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 13 | — | 5 | — | — | 6 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 10 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 121 | 4 | 0 | 285 | 30 | 0 | 121 | 4 | 0 | 122 | 4 | 0 | 84 | 4 | 0 | 285 | 4 | 0 | 49 | 4 | 4 |
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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