
Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, S swell with 530 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period with SSW 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 03) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m 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 1.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into what’s happening at Depressions. It’s a bit of a slow burn for the next couple of weeks, so don’t get your hopes up too high.
The overall pattern is one of small, weak swells with a lot of cross-onshore wind mucking things up. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.
We kick off on Thursday, September 3rd, but it’s a real nothing-burger. First thing in the morning, we’ve got a tiny 2 ft SW swell, with a super long 15-second period, which usually means nice lines, but the wind is onshore from the WSW at 6 mph. The combined energy is weak (246), and the forecast says it’s poor. That afternoon is just as bad, with a 1 ft SSW swell, cross-on wind doubling to 12 mph, and the energy is a bit higher at 316 but still weak. It’s choppy and messy.
Friday, September 4th, has a slightly better morning. Swell picks up to 3 ft from the SSW, still that long 17-second period, and the wind is light onshore from the SW at just 3 mph. Combined energy is moderate (523), and the report calls it marginal. It’s not great, but that early session might be the best you’ll see for a few days. The afternoon goes back to poor with cross-on wind.
The weekend (Sept 5-6) is all marginal stuff. Saturday morning has a 2 ft SW swell with a 15-second period and light cross-on wind. Energy is moderate (303). Sunday morning sees a 3 ft SSE swell, offshore wind from the SW at 6 mph, and energy of 512. It’s still marginal, but if you’re desperate, that’s the cleanest window of the whole stretch.
Monday, September 7th, the morning is the same story – 4 ft S swell, offshore wind, moderate energy (464), but it’s only marginal. The afternoon gets messy with cross-on wind again.
We hit a real dry spell from Tuesday, September 8th, through to Wednesday, September 16th. That’s over a week of almost nothing. The swells stay tiny, mostly under 3 ft, and the wind is almost always cross-onshore or onshore. There’s a brief moment on Wednesday, September 9th, where the afternoon swell jumps to 5 ft from the WNW, but the period is a pathetic 6 seconds and the wind is howling cross-on at 16 mph. That’s not surfing, that’s a washing machine. Even the bigger 7 ft WNW swell on Thursday, September 10th afternoon is ruined by a 22 mph cross-shore wind. This setup is honestly more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The only real glimmer of hope comes right at the end. Early on Thursday, September 17th, we see a tiny 1 ft SW swell, but check out the period – 22 seconds. That’s a very long groundswell, and combined energy is moderate (295). The wind is light and onshore from the SW. It’s marginal, but for a point break or reef, that long period and small size could actually produce a few clean, fun waves. It’s a long way off, so don’t bank on it, but it’s the only thing that looks promising.
Honestly, for the next 16 days, Depressions is a tough call. The only time I’d even bother paddling out is the early mornings on Friday the 4th, Sunday the 6th, or maybe that far-off Thursday the 17th. And even then, keep your expectations low.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
113 | 188 | 246 | 325 | 240 | 255 | 242 | 204 | 191 | 423 | 388 | 372 | 458 | 515 | 495 | 423 | 414 | 248 | 167 | 158 | 197 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:24PM1.96m | 6:25AM1.24m | 3:43PM1.97m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:40PM0.53m | 7:59AM1.23m | 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 | ||||||||
6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 22 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 25 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 |
62 | 188 | 246 | 325 | 240 | 255 | 242 | 204 | 191 | 423 | 388 | 372 | 458 | 515 | 495 | 423 | 414 | 248 | 167 | 158 | 92 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WNW 7 | SW 10 | WNW 4 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SSW 17 |
113 | 50 | 73 | 121 | 113 | 101 | 151 | 66 | 137 | 144 | 188 | 142 | 25 | 4 | 15 | 49 | 49 | 68 | 94 | 138 | 197 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 21 | SW 15 | S 19 | SSW 11 | WNW 10 | SSW 11 | W 6 | SSE 13 | SSE 16 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 20 | SSW 18 | W 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 11 | WSW 15 |
42 | 58 | 112 | 69 | 38 | 51 | 18 | 102 | 87 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 31 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 65 | 5 | 22 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | NW 4 | W 4 | WNW 4 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | W 7 | WNW 4 | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 |
29 | 64 | 42 | 14 | 10 | 15 | — | 13 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | — | 23 | 21 | 35 | 47 | 24 | 26 | 59 | 26 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 35 | 0 | 141 | 310 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 310 |
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.










