Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 12 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
21.6° C
4.3° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SSW swell with 373 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period with SW 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 13) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Thu 13th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 16s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 19th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 9s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sat 15th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Alright, I’ll be straight with you: the next couple of weeks at Depressions are a real drag, mostly flat and frustrating. There’s a big gap of nothing worth paddling out for right off the bat, so don’t bother waxing up yet.

The first anything that isn’t total junk shows up on the morning of Saturday, August 15th. We’re looking at a tiny 2ft swell from the SSW with a long 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell, but the energy is just moderate (307). Wind is onshore from the SW at 6 mph, so it’s not clean. The report calls it “marginal,” and I’d agree. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, so if you’re learning and desperate, you might snag a few closeouts, but nothing to get stoked on. That trend of onshore wind and tiny, weak swell keeps going right through the end of the month.

Now, there’s a slight shift around Tuesday, August 18th. We get a bump in swell height, with the afternoon seeing 5ft from the WNW, but the period is short at 8 seconds – that’s windswell, all chop and no shape. The wind is onshore again at 6 mph. The combined energy sits at a moderate 386, but it’s still just “marginal.” This setup looks better for kite surfing than paddle surfing with that short-period, onshore mess.

Thursday, August 20th morning sees the swell drop right back to 2ft from the SSW, period back up to 14 seconds, and the wind finally goes light – 3 mph from the SW, making it glassy. That’s about as clean as it gets, but the swell is just too tiny to do anything with. The energy is moderate (307), but there’s no push.

After that, from August 21st right through to August 27th, we’re in a real drought. The swell barely breaks 2ft, the period swings around, and most of the time it’s onshore or cross-onshore. The whole stretch is flagged as “poor surf conditions.” The combined energy drops to two-digit numbers (88, 117) on the 22nd, which is as weak as it gets.

The one and only true standout? Honestly, there isn’t one. Nothing in this window deserves a full recommendation. The swell never gets over 5ft, the wind is a constant problem, and the consistency is “fairly consistent” for small, poor waves. If you absolutely have to get wet, the morning of Thursday, August 20th offers the glassiest conditions, but you’ll be scratching for 2ft dribblers. Otherwise, save your energy. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a bust.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
18
0.7
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
1.5
WNW
6
1.1
WNW
8
1.4
WNW
8
1
WNW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
125
122
160
154
104
180
240
232
295
318
273
191
186
186
186
181
184
250
151
Wind (km/h)
5
SE
5
S
10
SW
0
ENE
10
SSW
15
WSW
5
N
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NW
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
NW
10
WSW
15
W
5
NNW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
ESE
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
High Tide
9:58PM2.34m
11:20AM1.78m
10:45PM2.20m
11:54AM1.84m
11:32PM2.00m
12:29PM1.88m
00:20AM1.77m
1:03PM1.89m
1:15AM1.53m
1:40PM1.88m
2:25AM1.33m
2:22PM1.84m
4:21AM1.20m
Low Tide
4:56AM0.04m
4:41PM0.80m
5:30AM0.19m
5:33PM0.75m
6:03AM0.37m
6:28PM0.74m
6:34AM0.58m
7:27PM0.75m
7:02AM0.78m
8:36PM0.76m
7:28AM0.97m
10:00PM0.75m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:18
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:49
7:47
7:46
7:45
7:44
7:43
 mm
Temp °C
18
21
22
18
21
22
19
24
25
22
25
26
24
28
31
26
30
30
26
Feels °C
19
22
22
19
21
22
19
24
24
22
24
25
22
27
30
24
29
30
27
  • 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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