Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
18.5° C
2.0° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 16 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, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SSW swell with 326 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with WNW 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 (Jul 16) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s 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 0.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 8PM. 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 16th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 8s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 16th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 8s
Most Powerful 8PM (Tue 21st Jul)3ft (0.9m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, and let me tell you, the outlook for Depressions over the next 16 days is a bit of a waiting game. We’ve got a long stretch of junk to start with, but there’s a glimmer of something decent out there in the second week.

Right now, the surf is flat and poor. The week starts with tiny 1 ft swell from the SW on Wednesday, July 15th, and it’s messy. The morning is onshore and the afternoon is cross-onshore with a light breeze – just not worth paddling out for. The combined wave energy is low (168 in the morning, 199 in the afternoon), which is weak. Water temp is sitting at 65°, which feels a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s about the only interesting thing.

We roll into Thursday, July 16th, with a 4 ft WNW swell that has a short period of 9 seconds. It’s marginal surf, with tricky tide conditions and a cross-onshore breeze in the afternoon. The energy picks up a bit (361 in the morning, 348 in the afternoon), but it’s not clean. Friday, July 17th, is more of the same – 3 ft WNW swell, short period, light onshore wind. The afternoon drops back to 1 ft with a super long period of 17 seconds, but that’s a weak, gutless groundswell that won’t do much here.

From Saturday, July 18th, through to Wednesday, July 22nd, it’s a frustrating run of small, poor surf. The swell hangs around 2 ft to 3 ft, mostly from the SW or SSW, with periods that are all over the place (12 to 18 seconds). The energy is moderate (373 to 475), but with onshore or cross-onshore winds, it’s all chop and no shape. Thursday, July 23rd, finally shows a bit of promise. The morning is still marginal with a cross-shore breeze, but the afternoon turns glassy. The swell is 3 ft from the SSE at 14 seconds, and the energy is moderate (403). The comment says "expect good surf conditions" – this is a decent window for a beginner-friendly wave, but it’s still small.

Now, the real standout is Friday, July 24th. The morning bumps up to 4 ft from the SSE with a 15-second period, and the energy is very strong (1239). It’s a bit cross-shore, but the afternoon is where it’s at: glassy, 4 ft from the S at 15 seconds, and energy is still strong (847). The comment says "expect very good surf conditions." This is the best on offer, and it’s a solid groundswell that will wrap into Depressions cleanly. The wind is light and the conditions are glassy – it’s a perfect setup for a fun session. Crowds are "sometimes" an issue here, so you might have a few others out, but it’s worth it.

Saturday, July 25th, lingers with 5 ft from the S at 14 seconds, but the wind turns onshore and cross-onshore, making it choppy and marginal. The energy is still strong (1102 in the morning, 974 in the afternoon), but the wind messes it up. After that, the last few days of the outlook (July 26th to 30th) drop back to small, poor surf with onshore winds and weak energy.

So, the best call is Friday, July 24th afternoon. Get out there for that glassy, 4 ft groundswell – it’s the only real standout in the whole 16-day window. The rest of the run is a long slog of marginal junk, so don’t waste your energy on the early days.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
1
1
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
2
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
17
0.4
SW
16
0.9
WNW
8
1.1
WNW
9
1.1
WNW
9
1.1
WNW
9
0.4
WNW
18
0.4
WNW
17
0.4
WNW
17
0.6
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.5
WNW
16
0.8
SSE
13
0.6
SW
17
0.8
S
13
0.9
S
12
0.6
S
14
0.7
S
12
0.6
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
107
93
99
197
189
202
127
97
96
194
157
142
232
238
225
240
140
151
154
318
152
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
15
W
5
NNE
10
SW
5
S
5
E
10
SSW
10
WSW
5
ESE
10
SW
10
WSW
5
E
10
SW
15
WSW
5
NE
10
WSW
15
WSW
5
NNW
15
WSW
15
W
5
NE
Wind State
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
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
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
00:07AM0.71m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
5:58
5:58
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:12
8:10
8:10
8:09
8:09
8:08
8:08
 mm
Temp °C
29
32
29
28
29
24
23
24
21
24
24
21
24
24
22
25
26
24
26
30
27
Feels °C
29
31
26
28
29
24
24
25
23
25
24
21
24
23
21
24
25
22
24
29
25
  • Map Icons:
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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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