
Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SSW swell with 322 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 8AM (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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Depressions in the next 16 days are 0.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the outlook is a bit of a slow grind. We’re looking at a long stretch of small, messy conditions, with only a couple of days that might get the heart beating a little faster. The pattern is mostly onshore or cross-onshore winds and weak swell energy, so don’t expect any fireworks early on.
The first real chance of anything rideable is Thursday morning, the 16th of July. The swell bumps up to about 4 ft from the WNW, with a period of 9 seconds. The wind is light and onshore from the SW, so it’s not pristine, but it’s the best of a quiet bunch. The combined energy is moderate, sitting at 396. Water temps are about average for this time of year, so no major surprises there. This is a beginner-friendly size, so it’s a good time for a learner to get some practice.
The next little window shows up on Saturday morning, the 18th of July. We’ve got a 2 ft swell from the SW, but the period stretches out to 18 seconds – that’s a long-period groundswell. The combined energy is moderate at 369. The wind is light and cross-onshore from the S, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but that long period means the waves will have some shape and power. The small size means it’s still fine for beginners.
Then, looking way out, the best potential arrives on Saturday morning, the 25th of July. The swell jumps to 2 ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 21 seconds. The combined energy is a strong 742. Winds are light and onshore from the WSW, so it’ll be clean enough. This is a long-range call, so while it’s promising, don’t book the trip just yet. The size is small, so it’s still easy paddling.
The pick of the whole forecast, if we’re honest, is Sunday morning, the 26th of July. We’ve got the biggest swell of the period at 5 ft from the S, with a period of 14 seconds. The combined energy is a very strong 1146. Winds are light and onshore from the SW, which is okay. This is still a manageable size for most surfers, but that longer period will give it some punch. It’s the standout for sheer energy, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on the updates.
Because there’s a lot of time with poor surf conditions and a “fairly consistent” break, the tone is hopeful. The energy is there, but the wind and swell alignment is just off for most of the window. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on the afternoons with stronger cross-onshore winds.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tue 21 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 17 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
109 | 107 | 93 | 101 | 232 | 197 | 206 | 118 | 97 | 96 | 194 | 159 | 142 | 238 | 238 | 125 | 164 | 201 | 223 | 166 | 322 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:06PM2.48m | 12:03PM1.64m | 10:56PM2.37m | 12:45PM1.70m | 11:46PM2.18m | 1:27PM1.75m | 00:38AM1.94m | 2:10PM1.80m | 1:34AM1.67m | 2:53PM1.83m | 2:44AM1.43m | 3:39PM1.86m | 4:21AM1.26m | 4:27PM1.87m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:26AM-0.12m | 4:46PM0.99m | 6:08AM-0.01m | 5:45PM0.97m | 6:48AM0.15m | 6:48PM0.96m | 7:27AM0.35m | 7:58PM0.95m | 8:04AM0.57m | 9:18PM0.91m | 8:40AM0.77m | 10:46PM0.83m | 9:19AM0.96m | ||||||||
— | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
8:12 | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:08 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 29 |
Feels °C | 25 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | W 5 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 13 | S 11 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
109 | 20 | 93 | 101 | 232 | 197 | 206 | 118 | 70 | 46 | 194 | 144 | 69 | 107 | 97 | 84 | 119 | 201 | 223 | 166 | 322 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 17 | W 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 17 | W 8 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | S 11 | S 10 | S 16 | WNW 13 |
56 | 107 | 31 | 90 | 89 | 87 | 127 | 104 | 97 | 96 | 29 | 159 | 142 | 238 | 238 | 125 | 164 | 81 | 30 | 82 | 34 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | S 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 20 | WNW 19 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SE 4 | SW 17 | WNW 16 | WNW 7 | SW 16 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | S 10 | W 4 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | S 10 | SE 12 |
41 | 35 | 11 | 35 | 75 | 72 | 33 | 54 | 5 | 77 | 146 | 18 | 65 | 135 | 91 | 53 | 10 | 69 | 40 | 28 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | ESE 3 | — | ESE 4 | — | — | WNW 7 | — | W 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 |
36 | — | 86 | 69 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 18 | — | 19 | 33 | 8 | 37 | 77 | 39 | 156 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 8 | 0 | 54 | 42 | 0 | 54 | 149 | 0 | 149 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











