
Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSE swell with 346 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period with SSE 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 9s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 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 on offer for the next couple of weeks. Straight up, I gotta be honest with you – it’s a bleak stretch. The models are showing a real flat spell, and there’s barely a ripple worth chasing for most of the next 16 days.
We’re looking at a long gap with no real surf on the cards. The first few days are a write-off, with nothing but tiny, weak swells and poor conditions. The best we can hope for is a little window around the 2nd of August, but even that is marginal. The overall pattern is a persistent, light onshore wind from the WSW, which is just killing any chance of clean waves. The combined energy is weak, rarely breaking into the triple digits.
Let’s talk about the only spot that’s even showing a pulse. Depressions is your best bet, and it's not saying much. This is a beginner-friendly spot, fairly consistent, but it's exposed to the WSW. The optimum swell direction is from the WSW, so that’s a plus.
The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild there.
The main event, if you can call it that, is around Thursday, July 31st morning. We’ll see a small 3ft swell from the S, with a period of 13 seconds. That’s a bit of a longer period groundswell, which means it’ll have some push, but it’s a tiny wave. The real kicker is the wind: it’s a light onshore breeze from the SW at 6 mph. That’s not ideal, but it’s light enough that it might be rideable. The combined energy is moderate at 418.
The next slight improvement is on Sunday, August 2nd. The morning and afternoon both show a 4ft swell from the WNW, period of 9 seconds. The wind is still onshore from the WSW at 6 mph, but the slightly bigger size and period might give you a few more workable walls. The energy is 300 and 309, still moderate.
After that, it’s a slow slide back into tiny, weak surf. The combined energy drops below 200, and the wind stays onshore or cross-onshore. The period swings up to 19 seconds on the 7th of August, but with a swell height of only 1ft, that’s just a long-period, tiny groundswell that will be too weak to break properly at a beach setup. That’s a bit of a tease.
Honestly, for most of this period, the setup is more interesting for a kite than a paddle. The wind is consistent, even if light, and the waves are too small to be any fun on a surfboard.
Keep your eyes on the charts, but don’t hold your breath. This is a blank run that’s normal for the area in this kind of pattern. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a tough call.
Stay patient, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSE 14 | SSW 16 | SSE 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSE 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
343 | 206 | 226 | 228 | 204 | 144 | 258 | 219 | 206 | 155 | 112 | 137 | 260 | 225 | 216 | 169 | 144 | 147 | 113 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:29PM2.17m | 11:22AM1.52m | 10:03PM2.15m | 11:48AM1.56m | 10:37PM2.09m | 12:14PM1.60m | 11:12PM1.97m | 12:40PM1.66m | 11:50PM1.82m | 1:08PM1.72m | 00:33AM1.63m | 1:39PM1.79m | 1:30AM1.44m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:48AM0.19m | 3:54PM1.07m | 5:16AM0.22m | 4:33PM1.04m | 5:43AM0.28m | 5:15PM1.01m | 6:08AM0.38m | 6:01PM0.99m | 6:32AM0.50m | 6:55PM0.95m | 6:57AM0.64m | 8:01PM0.90m | |||||||
— | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
8:04 | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 23 |
Feels °C | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 13 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
107 | 87 | 60 | 116 | 90 | 68 | 118 | 115 | 206 | 53 | 112 | 137 | 260 | 225 | 216 | 169 | 144 | 147 | 113 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSE 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSE 14 | S 13 | SW 15 | WNW 8 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
343 | 206 | 226 | 228 | 204 | 144 | 258 | 219 | 33 | 65 | 31 | 50 | 82 | 47 | 44 | 44 | 27 | 26 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSW 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | WNW 5 | SSW 15 | — | S 13 | SSW 13 | S 9 | SW 14 | S 12 | SW 18 | S 12 | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
144 | 178 | 134 | 164 | 101 | 96 | 17 | 84 | — | 155 | 56 | 15 | 31 | 28 | 49 | 11 | 26 | 41 | 40 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | — | — | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 125 | — | 87 | 107 | — | — | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 55 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










