Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 24s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 19s period, SW swell with 546 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s 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 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m 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 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 10s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 24s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what's on the cards for the local stretch.
Alright, straight up, it's a bit of a slow start. We've got a pulse of swell coming through, but the wind is messing it up for a few days. The real action, if you can call it that, is a bit of a wait. The best bet on the whole 16-day run is a very specific, subtle window.
We kick off on the morning of Thursday, July 23rd, with a small 2ft SSE groundswell (13 seconds) at Depressions. The energy is moderate (366), but with a cross-onshore breeze, it's choppy and poor. That afternoon, a 6ft WNW windswell (6 seconds) shows up, but it's messy and short-period. Not our day.
Friday and Saturday are a write-off. The swell is tiny, and the wind is onshore, creating poor or marginal conditions. Honestly, the first few days are a wash.
The first real glimmer comes on Monday, July 27th. The wind goes light and onshore, but the swell is still small. Tuesday, July 28th, is similar. We're seeing a long-period SSW groundswell (17-19 seconds), but it's only 2ft to 3ft. The energy is moderate (547-700), but the onshore wind keeps it from being clean. These long-period swells from the SSW can put a bit of shape into the lineup, but it’s a gamble with the wind direction.
The standout of the whole forecast is Wednesday morning, August 5th. This is the one. The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the south. The swell is tiny, only 1ft from the SW with a period of 14 seconds, so the energy is weak (83). But here's the thing: glassy conditions on a tiny, long-period groundswell are a rare treat. It’ll be clean as a whistle, super weak, and perfect for a longboard or a foamie. It’s the only time the wind cooperates fully. The rest of the week after that is pretty flat and poor.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a bust. The second week offers a single, magical window of glassy conditions on Wednesday, August 5th, for a very small wave. If you're a beginner, that 1ft is perfect. If you're hungry for anything clean, that's your morning. After that, it's back to poor conditions for the rest of the run.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 22°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sun morning, min 22°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 6 | SSE 13 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | SSW 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 213 | 137 | 220 | 183 | 368 | 141 | 467 | 404 | 288 | 546 | 384 | 327 | 399 | 408 | 325 | 377 | 358 | 377 | 343 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:06AM1.27m | 6:06PM1.92m | 9:02AM1.34m | 6:53PM1.97m | 9:37AM1.39m | 7:36PM2.03m | 10:04AM1.43m | 8:16PM2.10m | 10:30AM1.46m | 8:53PM2.15m | 10:56AM1.49m | 9:29PM2.17m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:11AM0.58m | 11:12AM1.20m | 1:59AM0.47m | 12:20PM1.24m | 2:39AM0.37m | 1:15PM1.23m | 3:14AM0.29m | 2:00PM1.20m | 3:47AM0.23m | 2:39PM1.15m | 4:18AM0.20m | 3:16PM1.11m | 4:48AM0.19m | ||||||
 | | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | 8:07 | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 30 | 32 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 21 | 29 | 31 | 25 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 31 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSE 13 | S 12 | S 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | SSW 21 | SW 19 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 17 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 138 | 137 | 110 | 78 | 147 | 91 | 90 | 107 | 288 | 546 | 144 | 109 | 136 | 112 | 109 | 172 | 154 | 377 | 287 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | S 19 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 116 | 104 | 69 | 68 | 165 | 116 | 467 | 404 | 14 | 46 | 384 | 327 | 399 | 408 | 325 | 377 | 358 | 112 | 343 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 26 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SW 24 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 12 | S 18 | SW 11 | S 16 |
| kJ | 58 | 13 | 105 | 65 | 368 | 141 | 67 | 44 | 17 | 27 | 39 | 11 | 12 | 27 | 129 | 6 | 98 | 5 | 132 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | — | — | NW 6 | — | — | WNW 5 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 213 | 112 | 220 | 183 | — | — | — | 73 | 107 | 106 | — | — | 137 | — | — | 97 | — | 206 | 286 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 35 | 1 | 142 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 142 | 22 | 0 | 54 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 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.
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