Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
20.7°C
3.4° 

Depressions surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Depressions surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, WNW swell with 344 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s 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 1.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 15s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 23rd Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 18s
Best Surf 2AM (Wed 26th Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 16s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 30th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get stuck in. I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watching this stretch of coast for years. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up, but there’s a glimmer for those who can wait.

First up, we’re looking at Depressions for the foreseeable future. And honestly, for the next week or so, it’s pretty bleak. The water’s sitting at 69 °F, which is over 5°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual, you can feel it in the air. But that’s where the good news ends for a while.

From Sunday the 23rd right through to the end of August, we’ve got tiny, messy swell. The predominant swell is coming from the SW with a period around 18 seconds, which is long-period groundswell, but it’s only pushing 1 ft. The combined wave energy is weak, sitting around 176-200 (that’s two-digit territory). The wind is mostly a light cross-onshore breeze, which just puts a ripple on it. It’s small, it’s poor, and it’s not worth the paddle.

We hit a dead patch for several days. By the 29th and 30th of August, the swell does start to bump up – we see 4 ft, then 6 ft on the Sunday afternoon – but the period drops to 6-9 seconds, and the wind turns moderate cross-onshore. That combo just churns it up into a choppy mess. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle wave.

The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t arrive until Saturday the 5th of September. Early morning, we’ve got a light cross-offshore breeze from the east, keeping things clean. The swell is still modest at 3 ft, but it’s from the SSW with a solid 16-second period. The combined energy is strong, hitting 607. The wind description is “clean,” and the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the standout session on offer, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on the forecast.

Then, Sunday the 6th of September morning is promising too. The wind goes glassy – calm, no ripple – with a 3 ft SSW swell at 14 seconds. That’s a beautiful window of clean, smooth surf. After that, it drops off again into weaker, shorter-period stuff.

So, to put it bluntly: the next 10 days are a write-off for anything decent. Hang tight, wait for that Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September. Those are your best bets for a clean paddle. Everything else is just a waiting game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
1
1
1
0
2
0
0
2
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.5
SW
17
0.5
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.7
SSE
12
0.7
SSE
12
0.7
SSE
12
0.7
SSE
11
0.7
S
10
1.1
WNW
9
0.8
WNW
8
0.4
SW
16
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SSW
17
1.3
WNW
9
1.6
WNW
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
79
112
109
98
135
130
91
89
140
147
142
123
106
197
94
90
246
197
237
201
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
WSW
15
W
5
N
10
SW
5
SW
5
ENE
5
SW
10
WSW
5
E
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
WSW
20
WNW
10
NW
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
7:17PM1.97m
9:31AM1.49m
7:57PM2.04m
9:50AM1.54m
8:34PM2.09m
10:09AM1.59m
9:10PM2.11m
10:30AM1.66m
9:45PM2.07m
10:51AM1.73m
10:22PM1.99m
11:14AM1.81m
11:01PM1.86m
Low Tide
2:46AM0.33m
1:52PM1.16m
3:15AM0.27m
2:29PM1.07m
3:42AM0.25m
3:05PM0.98m
4:07AM0.27m
3:43PM0.89m
4:32AM0.32m
4:22PM0.81m
4:56AM0.41m
5:03PM0.74m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:26
6:28
6:28
6:28
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:37
7:36
7:35
7:32
7:31
7:30
7:29
 mm
Temp °C
29
27
29
30
28
32
34
29
33
32
30
31
31
28
31
31
28
32
34
28
Feels °C
30
27
28
29
25
30
32
26
32
32
29
32
30
28
30
30
27
30
30
24
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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