Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with 191 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m 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 0.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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+) | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I’ve got to be straight with you – this outlook is a tough one. We’re looking at a real dry spell for Depressions (Depressions). The water temp is sitting at 70°, which is a whopping 7° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual. But that warmth is about the only exciting thing.
For the entire 16-day run, from Sunday the 16th of August right through to Monday the 31st of August, there is simply no decent surf to get excited about. The combined wave energy never really gets going, sticking in the low to moderate range, like 248 to 338 (moderate energy). We are talking tiny waves – mostly around 1 ft to 3 ft – and the conditions are consistently described as "poor." The wind is mostly light and onshore or cross-onshore, which is just going to keep the surface bumpy. There’s a long period groundswell trying to show up, with periods over 14 seconds, but it’s just too small to do anything with. It’s a frustrating pattern where the swell has the right idea but no power behind it.
For a beginner-friendly break that’s fairly consistent, this is a total blank run. It’s one of those stretches where you’re better off leaving the board in the car. There’s not a single moment I’d point you toward as a standout.
Stay patient, folks. It won’t stay this flat forever. Forecasts can always change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 20°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 23°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 212 | 191 | 188 | 188 | 186 | 140 | 101 | 153 | 165 | 186 | 164 | 123 | 118 | 120 | 115 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 67 | 80 | 127 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 1:03PM1.89m | 1:15AM1.53m | 1:40PM1.88m | 2:25AM1.33m | 2:22PM1.84m | 4:21AM1.20m | 3:14PM1.80m | 4:21PM1.79m | 8:37AM1.33m | 5:31PM1.81m | 8:55AM1.39m | 6:29PM1.88m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 7:27PM0.75m | 7:02AM0.78m | 8:36PM0.76m | 7:28AM0.97m | 10:00PM0.75m | 7:51AM1.12m | 11:30PM0.69m | 00:43AM0.59m | 10:39AM1.31m | 1:34AM0.49m | 12:14PM1.30m | 2:13AM0.40m | |||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 25 | 23 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 26 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 6 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 212 | 191 | 188 | 188 | 186 | 140 | 101 | 153 | 90 | 75 | 164 | 37 | 57 | 40 | 42 | 34 | 26 | 30 | 67 | 80 | 127 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | S 18 | S 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | S 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 25 | 2 | 44 | 44 | 165 | 186 | 43 | 123 | 118 | 120 | 115 | 59 | 58 | 39 | 56 | 41 | 71 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 18 | S 16 | S 9 | NW 15 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 19 |
| kJ | 11 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 80 | 2 | 9 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 31 | 46 | 46 | 23 | 40 | 58 | 20 | 14 | 37 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | W 8 | — | — | W 7 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | — | WNW 6 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 14 | 35 | 49 | 48 | 95 | 106 | — | 118 | — | — | 48 | — | — | 32 | — | — | — | 39 | — | 48 | 22 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 310 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Depressions surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.
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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