
Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s period, S swell with 420 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Depressions in the next 16 days are 1.1m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 8AM. 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+) | 5AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Righto, let's have a good look at Depressions for the next couple of weeks. It's a bit of a mixed bag, so we'll need to pick our moments.
We've got a bit of a wait for anything decent. The first weekend in September and the start of the following week are pretty ordinary – small, cross-onshore winds, and the water temp is about average for this time of year in the area. Don't bother paddling out Saturday the 5th unless you want a frustrating session. The main hope is a window opening up.
We see a slight glimmer on Sunday morning the 6th. Early doors, it's glassy with a small 3ft swell from the SSE at 14 seconds, pushing 483 in combined energy (moderate energy). That glassy wind is a major positive, meaning the surface will be clean. It’s the best bet in the first week but still nothing to write home about.
After that, it goes back to poor conditions for a long stretch. For almost the entire week from the 9th of September onwards, it’s a write-off – cross-onshore winds, lumpy, choppy. Not worth a look.
Now, the real story, and the standout, looks to be around Friday the 18th of September onwards. We’ve got a building WNW groundswell with periods going from 7 to 10 seconds, and some of those combined energy readings are huge, hitting four-digit numbers (strong to very strong wave energy). By Saturday morning the 19th, we're looking at a solid 5ft swell at 10 seconds from the WNW, with 1003 in combined energy. That's a big, powerful swell. The wind is light and offshore from the southwest, which is clean for the break. For a beginner break, 5ft is at the top end of okay, but with that offshore wind, the shape should be there. This is your main target – clean, solid, and promising, even if it's a week and a half out, so keep an eye on it.
This spot is fairly consistent, so it tends to bounce back. If this long-range forecast holds, it could be a cracker. Keep your fingers crossed.
Alright, that's the mail.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed morning, min 22°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSE 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | SSW 11 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
255 | 242 | 201 | 198 | 308 | 361 | 350 | 389 | 383 | 392 | 305 | 330 | 209 | 94 | 161 | 197 | 350 | 264 | 251 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:35AM1.36m | 5:08PM2.02m | 8:08AM1.47m | 6:21PM2.11m | 8:37AM1.57m | 7:22PM2.19m | 9:07AM1.68m | 8:15PM2.22m | 9:36AM1.79m | 9:03PM2.19m | 10:04AM1.88m | 9:50PM2.10m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:02AM0.40m | 10:25AM1.29m | 1:04AM0.26m | 12:07PM1.22m | 1:52AM0.16m | 1:16PM1.09m | 2:34AM0.11m | 2:11PM0.93m | 3:11AM0.12m | 3:00PM0.78m | 3:45AM0.19m | 3:47PM0.66m | 4:17AM0.32m | ||||||
— | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 26 |
Feels °C | 21 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | SW 17 | SW 11 | SW 9 |
255 | 242 | 201 | 198 | 308 | 361 | 350 | 389 | 383 | 392 | 305 | 330 | 209 | 71 | 161 | 75 | 350 | 198 | 230 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 7 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | WNW 4 | SW 18 | WNW 4 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
131 | 152 | 192 | 196 | 144 | 142 | 104 | 38 | 14 | 31 | 5 | 50 | 6 | 92 | 138 | 197 | 92 | 264 | 251 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | W 5 | SW 10 | SW 19 | W 14 | W 13 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 19 | NW 10 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | WNW 12 |
51 | 70 | 45 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 50 | 7 | 68 | 94 | 4 | 37 | 14 | 11 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | — | WNW 10 | W 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | W 4 | — | W 4 | W 4 | WNW 5 | — | — | — |
5 | — | 41 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 33 | 35 | 15 | 5 | 7 | — | 9 | 8 | 3 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 136 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










