
Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, WNW swell with 344 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Depressions this week:
The surf forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Depressions in the next 16 days are 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get this out there. It’s been a bit of a flat spell, and to be honest, the first few days aren't giving us much to work with. We're looking at a patchy run where the ocean just hasn't got its act together. It's not a total write-off, but you'll be chasing scraps more than scoring gems for the first part of this stretch.
Looking at the whole 16-day window, the pickings are slim. There are long gaps where there’s just nothing worth paddling out for. We’ve got a quiet start, then a brief blip of extra energy that doesn’t pan out, and then we’re back to small and marginal waves. The best window, if you can call it that, looks to be heading into the second week, but even that is far from a guarantee. It’s a lot of waiting and watching.
Right now, on Wednesday the 9th, the swell is tiny at 1ft. The water’s running much warmer than normal for this time of year, 70°F to be exact, which is a bit of a shock to the system. But that doesn't help the surf. The energy is weak, around 196, and it's just not doing anything.
The next few days, Thursday the 10th through Saturday the 12th, are similar. We’re stuck with small, weak swells around 2ft to 2ft. The mornings have a bit of light offshore wind, which is nice, but the swell just isn't there. The energy is moderate but it’s not translating into any rideable waves. You’d be fooling yourself to think there’s a wave out there with any push.
Sunday the 13th is where it gets interesting for a moment. The morning is still small at 4ft, but the afternoon sees a jump to 5ft with a bunch of short-period energy from the WNW. The combined energy spikes to 434, but the problem is the wind. It's cross-onshore, and it’s making everything a messy, choppy mess. At that size, and with that short period and cross-onshore wind, it's pretty much a write-off for a clean surf. This is a case where the conditions are just not on our side.
After that, the week ahead looks pretty grim. From Monday the 14th right through to Saturday the 19th, it’s a desert. Wave heights hover around 1ft to 2ft, with poor conditions and marginal surf being the best case scenario. There’s a lot of nothing, with energy readings mostly in the low to mid-100s and 200s. It's going to be a real test of patience.
The one bright spot in this whole run, and I mean the one, is the weekend of the 20th and 21st. Sunday the 20th has a 2ft SW swell with an 18-second period, and the energy is up there at 381. That’s a long-period groundswell, which is nice to see. The wind is light and offshore, which is a major positive. It’s still small, but the quality could be there. Then Monday the 21st also has some pulse, with a 2ft to 3ft SW swell and a similar long period, and energy at 282 and 388. The wind is again light and offshore in the morning. This is the standout window. It’s not big, but the conditions could line up for a clean, hollow little wave. Given it's so far out, treat it as promising but far from certain. The mornings, in particular, look like the best bet for the cleanest conditions.
From Tuesday the 22nd onward, it fades out again. We're back to sub-3ft swell and a lot of “poor” conditions. Nothing to get excited about. It’s just a flat, quiet end to the outlook.
So, honestly? The surf for most of this period is a no-go. If you’re desperate, keep an eye on that window around the 20th and 21st. But don't hold your breath for the rest. It’s one of those stretches where the boards stay in the car, and you might be better off thinking about other things.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 35°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 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) | SW 19 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 9 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
94 | 138 | 195 | 295 | 261 | 251 | 196 | 146 | 171 | 102 | 102 | 131 | 184 | 322 | 268 | 144 | 107 | 104 | 75 | 69 | 39 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:36AM1.79m | 9:03PM2.19m | 10:04AM1.88m | 9:50PM2.10m | 10:33AM1.95m | 10:35PM1.96m | 11:01AM2.00m | 11:21PM1.79m | 11:30AM2.01m | 00:10AM1.60m | 11:59AM1.98m | 1:05AM1.43m | 12:31PM1.92m | 2:21AM1.29m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:00PM0.78m | 3:45AM0.19m | 3:47PM0.66m | 4:17AM0.32m | 4:32PM0.57m | 4:46AM0.47m | 5:18PM0.52m | 5:14AM0.65m | 6:05PM0.52m | 5:39AM0.83m | 6:55PM0.55m | 6:02AM0.99m | 7:53PM0.61m | ||||||||
6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 34 | 35 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 34 | 34 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 6 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 |
41 | 138 | 195 | 295 | 261 | 251 | 31 | 146 | 171 | 79 | 102 | 96 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 144 | 96 | 84 | 75 | 51 | 33 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | WNW 5 | SW 9 | SSW 7 | SW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
94 | 25 | 13 | 19 | 20 | 5 | 196 | 51 | 42 | 102 | 59 | 29 | 58 | 58 | 56 | 48 | 107 | 104 | 65 | 62 | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | WNW 12 | W 18 | WNW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | WSW 11 | W 11 | S 9 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 20 | SSW 12 |
56 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 11 | 14 | 24 | 12 | 14 | 35 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 27 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 69 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
5 | 15 | 52 | — | 48 | 77 | 36 | 74 | 46 | 91 | 62 | 131 | 184 | 322 | 268 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 141 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 0 | 142 | 1 | 0 | 136 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Depressions Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Depressions provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Depressions can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Depressions 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 (Depressions) 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 Depressions 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.
Depressions is 1 km (1 miles) from Isla Vista. If you plan a vacation in Santa Barbara, look for hotels and other accommodation in Isla Vista. Isla Vista has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










