Overview

Isla Vista is a kitesurfing spot located near the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), on California's south-facing coast. This cliff-access spot offers access to the Pacific Ocean with a south-facing orientation unique for California. Thermal winds blow mainly from the west and southwest, accelerated by the Santa Barbara coastline corridor. The spot is suited for advanced riders due to cliffs, rocks, and kelp.

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Spot forecast for Isla Vista

Sunrise 07:09 · Sunset 18:19

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 3.8 km from the spot.

Monday 19 October High tide 07:09 · 1.7 m Low tide 11:59 · 1.4 m High tide 17:12 · 1.8 m
Tuesday 20 October Low tide 00:30 · 0.7 m High tide 07:27 · 1.8 m Low tide 12:52 · 1.3 m High tide 18:15 · 1.8 m
Wednesday 21 October Low tide 01:04 · 0.7 m High tide 07:45 · 1.9 m Low tide 13:32 · 1.1 m High tide 19:07 · 1.8 m
Thursday 22 October Low tide 01:34 · 0.7 m High tide 08:02 · 2 m Low tide 14:08 · 0.9 m High tide 19:53 · 1.8 m
Friday 23 October Low tide 02:00 · 0.8 m High tide 08:20 · 2.1 m Low tide 14:43 · 0.7 m High tide 20:39 · 1.9 m

Isla Vista: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

107h

in July · 23.5 rideable days

The season runs from March to July, peaking in July: 21 rideable days a month and 107 hours of usable wind, at 19 °C. The low point is December, at 8.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 89%13-20 knots · 11%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 89% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is February, at 17 °C. The wettest month is February, with 243 mm.

Monthly averages: Isla Vista

Monthly averages — Isla Vista — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	11.0	61 h	18 °C	41 mm
February	16.0	106 h	17 °C	243 mm
March	20.5	150 h	17 °C	77 mm
April	20.0	115 h	18 °C	18 mm
May	19.5	113 h	19 °C	1 mm
June	21.5	109 h	21 °C	0 mm
July	23.5	107 h	22 °C	0 mm
August	12.0	62 h	24 °C	0 mm
September	16.5	99 h	24 °C	6 mm
October	17.0	66 h	23 °C	23 mm
November	9.5	55 h	19 °C	97 mm
December	8.5	48 h	19 °C	97 mm

Photo gallery of Isla Vista

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Technical details of Isla Vista spot

The spot works with winds from E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, W, WNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Advanced

On the water

Ocean spot with waves of 0.5 to 2m depending on swell. Water is cool to temperate (13-19°C/55-66°F), a 3/2 or 4/3 wetsuit depending on season. Rocky and sandy bottom with significant kelp beds offshore. The south-facing coast catches south swells in summer and west swells in winter. Currents along the cliffs.

Hazards

Coastal cliffs — difficult and dangerous access, risk of falls. Numerous submerged rocks and reefs. Dense kelp that can tangle in lines and fins. Drift currents along the cliffs. Sharks present in the Santa Barbara Channel. University area with possible access restrictions. Powerful shore break on narrow beaches.

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Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Municipal Airport3 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

SCE Sage Hill3.6 km

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source noaa
SCE Goleta West2.6 km

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source noaa

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Webcams near Isla Vista

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Nearby spots

All spots: California

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Isla Vista kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot