Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 16 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
18.9° C
2.3° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SSW swell with 508 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s 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 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Depressions in the next 16 days are 1.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 9s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Thu 16th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Best Surf11PM (Thu 16th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Most Powerful 2PM (Tue 21st Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at Depressions are looking pretty flat and quiet. Plenty of clean, light wind days, but the swell is just not showing up. It’s a real slow burn, and honestly, for the first week and a half, there’s hardly anything worth paddling out for.

We kick off Thursday, July 16th, with a tiny 3ft swell from the WNW, but it’s short-period at 8 seconds, and the combined energy is weak (310). The water’s sitting at 66°, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s a notable anomaly, feels like a bit of a bath. The wind is light and offshore, which is a tease, because the waves are just too small and gutless. Friday the 17th through Monday the 20th is more of the same: tiny 1ft to 3ft swells, mostly from the WSW and SSW, with periods that jump around. The combined energy nudges up a bit on the 18th (384) and 19th (555), but it’s still moderate at best, and the wave comment is “marginal” or “poor.” The wind stays light and mostly offshore, so it’s glassy, but there’s nothing to ride.

Tuesday the 21st offers a slight bump to 4ft from the SSW at 13 seconds, with combined energy of 517 (moderate), but the wind is a light cross-onshore, putting small ripples on it. Still, it’s just barely surfable for a beginner. From Wednesday the 22nd into the 23rd, the swell stays around 2ft to 3ft, but the wind picks up to 9-12 mph on Wednesday, making it choppy and messy. The wave comment is “poor surf conditions” – avoid.

Now, here’s where it gets a little more interesting. Friday, July 24th, we see a long-period spike at 24 seconds (!) from the SSW, with a combined energy of 763 (strong). The swell height is only 2ft, but that’s a very long-period groundswell coming in. At Depressions, which is a fairly exposed beach break, that kind of long period can make the waves break too straight and dumpy, not ideal for a beach. The wind is light and offshore, so it’ll be clean, but the wave quality is still rated “marginal.” If you’re a beginner, it’s too weak and weird. For an expert, it might offer a few super clean, but very inconsistent, lines.

The weekend of July 26th and 27th sees a rise in combined energy, hitting 940 (very strong) on the 26th afternoon, with a 3ft S/SSW swell at 13 seconds. The wind is light and offshore again, so it’ll be glassy. This is probably the best you’ll see in the whole forecast – clean, small, but with good energy for the size. The consistency is “fairly consistent” here, so you’ll get a few waves. The crowds are “sometimes,” so you might have a few others out, but it won’t be a zoo. The swell direction (SSW) is close to the optimum (WSW), so it’s not a perfect match, but it’s workable.

The rest of the run into the end of July and early August keeps the same pattern: small 2ft to 3ft swells, moderate to strong energy, but always “marginal surf forecast.” The wind stays light and mostly offshore, so it’s clean, but there’s no real punch. Thursday, July 30th, the wind swings cross-shore, which is a bit of a pain.

The standout: If you’re desperate for a paddle, the period from Sunday, July 26th, through Tuesday, July 28th, offers the best combo of energy, clean offshore wind, and a bit of consistency. The swell is small, 2ft to 3ft, but the combined energy is strong (756 to 959). It’s an expert-level window because the swell is weak and the long period on some days makes it tricky. For a beginner, it’s too small and inconsistent. Honestly, it’s a very quiet stretch. The forecast can change, but for now, don’t get your hopes up.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
WNW
8
1.2
WNW
9
0.4
WNW
18
0.4
WNW
17
0.4
WNW
17
0.6
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.5
WNW
16
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
0.8
S
12
0.8
SSW
16
0.6
S
14
0.8
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.8
SSE
15
0.9
SSE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
151
213
125
97
96
194
159
142
241
232
196
273
132
222
396
196
150
186
249
285
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
5
ENE
10
SW
10
WSW
0
ESE
10
SW
10
WSW
5
SE
5
SSW
5
WSW
10
ENE
5
SW
10
WSW
5
ENE
5
S
10
WSW
5
W
15
WSW
20
W
10
NW
Wind State
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-off
on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
11:46PM2.18m
1:27PM1.75m
00:38AM1.94m
2:10PM1.80m
1:34AM1.67m
2:53PM1.83m
2:44AM1.43m
3:39PM1.86m
4:21AM1.26m
4:27PM1.87m
6:26AM1.22m
5:17PM1.89m
Low Tide
5:45PM0.97m
6:48AM0.15m
6:48PM0.96m
7:27AM0.35m
7:58PM0.95m
8:04AM0.57m
9:18PM0.91m
8:40AM0.77m
10:46PM0.83m
9:19AM0.96m
00:07AM0.71m
10:07AM1.11m
1:11AM0.58m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:10
8:10
8:09
8:09
8:08
8:08
8:07
 mm
Temp °C
27
25
24
24
22
24
25
23
25
25
21
25
28
27
28
28
23
26
29
27
Feels °C
27
24
25
25
24
24
25
23
26
25
21
25
27
25
28
28
26
27
28
26
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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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