Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
20.6° C
3.2° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 135 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 5s 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 0.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 20th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 14s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 25th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 2AM (Tue 25th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let's get into it. This is Rusty, and I'm looking at the next 16 days for our local spot, Depressions.

Honestly, it's a pretty lean run. The first stretch is a tough one to swallow. We're looking at a string of "poor surf conditions" all the way through most of the window. The only real hope on the horizon pops up for a couple of mornings around the end of the month and into early September, but even then it's a marginal call.

Let's start on Wednesday the 19th. The water is a very unusual 69°, which is a massive 6° warmer than normal for this time of year. It's like we're in a summer dream, but the waves are a nightmare. We've got a weak 2ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, which is a long-period groundswell that would be better off at a point or reef, but here at Depressions the cross-on wind just chops it up. The combined energy is a moderate 267, but it's all for nothing.

The next few days are a total write-off. From Thursday the 20th through to the afternoon of Friday the 28th, it's a flat, choppy, or blown-out mess. We're talking endless days of 1ft to 2ft swells, and while the wind is often light, it's either onshore or cross-onshore, ruining any chance of a clean face. The combined energy dips as low as 124, which is just weak and pathetic. This is a full 10-day gap of nothing worth paddling for.

Then, on Saturday the 29th of August, we get a flicker of hope. The morning shows a 2ft SSW swell from the south, with a decent 17-second period and a combined energy hitting 402, which is a solid moderate boost. The wind is light and onshore from the SW, but it's a "marginal" call. It's a tease, but it's the best we've got. The next morning, Sunday the 30th, is similar with a 3ft SSW swell (15-second period) and even more energy at 429, but again, the wind is light and onshore.

By the end of the window, the swell tries to pick up but the wind turns nasty. The morning of Monday the 1st of September sees a 3ft WNW swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it's weak and jumbled. The combined energy is 246. Tuesday the 2nd is more of the same, with a 4ft WNW swell but a pathetic 6-second period. It's just not going to be any fun.

The last few days into Wednesday the 3rd of September look like they might have a little more size, but it's still a "marginal" call at best. The swells are small and the winds are not favorable.

So, what's the verdict? There's no standout. The best on offer is the morning of Saturday the 29th of August and Sunday the 30th of August, but even then, it's a marginal, onshore affair. If you're desperate for a paddle, that's your window, but don't expect much.

-Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
16
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
13
1.1
WNW
6
0.3
SW
18
1
WNW
6
0.4
SSW
15
0.4
SW
19
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.5
SW
17
0.5
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
164
110
118
120
79
59
58
69
56
67
77
90
80
112
109
100
135
132
91
89
Wind (km/h)
15
W
0
N
10
SW
10
WSW
0
NW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
SW
15
W
5
NW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NW
10
WSW
15
W
10
NW
10
WSW
15
W
5
NW
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
3:14PM1.80m
4:21PM1.79m
8:37AM1.33m
5:31PM1.81m
8:55AM1.39m
6:29PM1.88m
9:13AM1.44m
7:17PM1.97m
9:31AM1.49m
7:57PM2.04m
9:50AM1.54m
8:34PM2.09m
Low Tide
11:30PM0.69m
00:43AM0.59m
10:39AM1.31m
1:34AM0.49m
12:14PM1.30m
2:13AM0.40m
1:10PM1.24m
2:46AM0.33m
1:52PM1.16m
3:15AM0.27m
2:29PM1.07m
3:42AM0.25m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:26
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:42
7:40
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:36
7:35
 mm
Temp °C
28
25
27
29
25
27
29
26
29
30
26
28
28
27
29
29
27
28
30
26
Feels °C
28
25
27
29
26
27
29
25
28
29
24
27
28
25
27
28
25
26
28
23
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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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