
Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 19s period, SSE swell with 441 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s 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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Depressions in the next 16 days are 0.8m 19s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 11AM. 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+) | 8PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
Right, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on the cards for the coming weeks. Straight up, I’ll be honest with you: it’s a pretty grim stretch for Depressions. We’ve got a long, flat run with barely a ripple worth paddling for. The first few days are a write-off, and honestly, it doesn’t get much better after that.
We start off on Saturday the 11th of July with a tiny 2ft SSW swell, but it’s crossed-up and cloudy – total dud. Sunday the 12th shows a glimmer of hope: a 2ft SSW swell with glassy conditions in the morning. That’s your best bet for the whole first week, but it’s still very ordinary. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 64°F, so at least it’s not freezing.
From Monday the 13th through to the end of the week, we’re looking at a mix of small, weak swell and mostly onshore or cross-onshore wind. The combined energy values are all over the shop, mostly in the moderate range (200-300), but the quality just isn’t there. The swell bumps up to 5ft on Wednesday the 15th and again on Friday the 24th of July, but it’s short-period windswell from the WNW with onshore wind – chop city, not surf. For a beginner spot with fairly consistent waves, this is a frustrating run.
The second week is a bit more promising but still not a stand-out. Look at the 18th of July (Saturday): a solid 3ft SSE groundswell on the morning, with a 19-second period. That’s proper long-period energy, and the combined energy jumps to 686 (moderate to strong). The wind is light and onshore, but for a beach break like Depressions, a long-period swell can be a bit straight and wonky. It gets better in the afternoon with 3ft SSE and 877 energy, but it’s still marginal. The 25th of July (Saturday) also has a bit of life – a 4ft WNW swell with a 9-second period and a light cross-onshore, but again, it’s just marginal.
Honestly, there’s no single day I’d call a standout. The best you’ll get is a couple of hours on Sunday the 12th morning with glassy conditions and a tiny clean wave, or maybe a session on Saturday the 18th if you’re desperate for a long-period groundswell. For a spot that’s fairly consistent, this is a lean run. It tends not to stay this poor for long, so keep an eye on the forecasts. If you’re a kiter, some of those windier, choppier days later in the window might be your thing, but for a paddle surfer, it’s slim pickings. Stay patient, mate.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | W 9 | W 8 | SW 19 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
172 | 118 | 152 | 163 | 136 | 104 | 139 | 141 | 68 | 26 | 56 | 109 | 109 | 195 | 127 | 151 | 137 | 92 | 104 | 97 | 96 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:03AM1.38m | 7:29PM2.37m | 9:53AM1.46m | 8:23PM2.47m | 10:38AM1.52m | 9:15PM2.51m | 11:20AM1.58m | 10:06PM2.48m | 12:03PM1.64m | 10:56PM2.37m | 12:45PM1.70m | 11:46PM2.18m | 1:27PM1.75m | 00:38AM1.94m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:52PM1.13m | 3:08AM-0.01m | 1:54PM1.11m | 3:56AM-0.12m | 2:53PM1.07m | 4:42AM-0.16m | 3:49PM1.03m | 5:26AM-0.12m | 4:46PM0.99m | 6:08AM-0.01m | 5:45PM0.97m | 6:48AM0.15m | 6:48PM0.96m | ||||||||
5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | 8:13 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 21 | 23 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 22 | 25 | 29 | 26 | 31 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 4 | W 4 | S 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | W 9 | SW 16 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 17 | WNW 5 |
172 | 47 | 152 | 163 | 136 | 104 | 139 | 141 | 9 | 6 | 26 | 109 | 47 | 68 | 127 | 151 | 87 | 52 | 85 | 97 | 29 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | S 15 | WNW 4 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | W 13 | WNW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 19 | WNW 8 | WNW 18 | SW 14 | WNW 17 |
49 | 118 | 25 | 26 | 67 | 5 | 35 | 32 | 68 | 19 | 49 | 56 | 32 | 35 | 90 | 89 | 72 | 27 | 104 | 54 | 96 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | S 16 | S 18 | S 18 | W 17 | NW 9 | W 16 | SW 19 | NW 9 | S 12 | SW 13 | WNW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | W 13 | WNW 20 | WNW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
7 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 22 | 19 | 59 | 21 | 26 | 44 | 41 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 75 | 29 | 92 | 54 | 50 | 77 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 2 | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | W 8 | — | — | WNW 6 | — |
1 | — | — | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 56 | 97 | 109 | 195 | 84 | — | 137 | — | — | 45 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 76 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 310 | 35 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 142 | 1 | 0 |
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.










