
Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 7s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 7s period, WNW swell with 604 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m 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 2.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 7s |
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 cookin’ for Depressions.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a slow start. The water is sitting at 70°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year—feels more like a late summer holdover than early autumn.
We kick off on Sunday, September 6th with small, weak swell. The morning shows 3ft from the SSE with a period of 14 seconds. That’s a long period groundswell, which normally means better shape, but the combined energy is only moderate at 468, and the wind is a light cross-shore from the SSE. It’s rideable but marginal. The afternoon sees a tiny bump to 3ft from the south, period still solid at 13 seconds, but the wind swings onshore from the SW, so it’s not going to be clean.
Monday the 7th is a write-off. The swell holds around 4ft from the south, but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, and the wave comment says poor. Don’t bother.
Tuesday the 8th is more of the same: onshore winds and poor conditions. The swell drops to 3ft by the afternoon, and the energy fades to 279. Nothing to get excited about.
Wednesday the 9th is flat and weak. The swell is only 1ft to 2ft from the SW. Even though the period is long—19 seconds in the morning—there’s just not enough push. The wind is onshore or cross-onshore. It’s a skip day.
Thursday the 10th shows a small pulse: 2ft from the SW, period 17 seconds, and the energy bumps back up to 411 in the morning. The wind is light and onshore from the WSW. Marginal at best.
Friday the 11th is similar: 2ft from the SW, long period around 15 to 16 seconds, but the wind stays cross-onshore. The morning might be worth a paddle if you’re desperate, but it’s not good.
Saturday the 12th brings a change. The morning swell jumps to 4ft from the WNW, but the period is short at 7 seconds—windswell, not groundswell. The wind is light and onshore. By the afternoon, the swell cranks up to 8ft from the WNW with a combined energy of 724—moderate to strong. But the period is still just 7 seconds, and the wind is cross-onshore. That much short-period swell with onshore wind is going to be a messy, choppy beast. Only for experts, and even then, it’s not going to be pretty. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session.
Sunday the 13th: the swell drops back to 4ft from the WNW, period lifts to 8 to 9 seconds. Wind is light and onshore or cross-onshore. The energy is still moderate at 546 in the morning, but the wind kills it.
Monday the 14th: back to small and weak. 3ft from the WNW, period 9 seconds. The wind is light and cross-onshore or onshore. Poor.
From Tuesday the 15th onward, it’s a long stretch of tiny surf. Swell heights hover between 1.0ft and 2ft, with periods ranging from 15 to 20 seconds—long period, but no size to work with. The wind is mostly light and onshore or cross-onshore. The combined energy stays low to moderate, between 169 and 401. There’s no standouts in this second week. It’s a flat spell through to Monday the 21st.
So what’s the pick? Honestly, there’s no true standout here. If you had to pick a window, the morning of Saturday the 12th offers the most size at 4ft from the WNW, but the short period and onshore wind make it a tough call. The best chance for cleaner conditions might be the morning of Thursday the 10th, with 2ft from the SW, long period, and light wind—but it’s marginal.
Keep an eye on the forecasts, because when it’s this quiet, things can change. But for now, don’t expect much.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Tue afternoon, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Wed morning, min 21°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SSE 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
308 | 361 | 345 | 413 | 362 | 262 | 350 | 205 | 222 | 94 | 138 | 195 | 295 | 261 | 255 | 193 | 148 | 171 | 167 | 604 | 422 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:08AM1.47m | 6:21PM2.11m | 8:37AM1.57m | 7:22PM2.19m | 9:07AM1.68m | 8:15PM2.22m | 9:36AM1.79m | 9:03PM2.19m | 10:04AM1.88m | 9:50PM2.10m | 10:33AM1.95m | 10:35PM1.96m | 11:01AM2.00m | 11:21PM1.79m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:07PM1.22m | 1:52AM0.16m | 1:16PM1.09m | 2:34AM0.11m | 2:11PM0.93m | 3:11AM0.12m | 3:00PM0.78m | 3:45AM0.19m | 3:47PM0.66m | 4:17AM0.32m | 4:32PM0.57m | 4:46AM0.47m | 5:18PM0.52m | ||||||||
6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 7:19 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 22 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 31 | 33 | 29 | 34 | 34 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 20 |
Feels °C | 23 | 25 | 21 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 28 | 30 | 25 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WNW 6 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
308 | 361 | 345 | 413 | 362 | 262 | 350 | 205 | 222 | 77 | 68 | 195 | 295 | 261 | 150 | 193 | 148 | 171 | 103 | 102 | 51 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SSW 9 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 16 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | W 15 | WSW 13 | SW 18 | WSW 12 |
144 | 142 | 144 | 14 | 14 | 31 | 50 | 50 | 68 | 94 | 138 | 26 | 49 | 26 | 255 | 17 | 53 | 39 | 35 | 12 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 11 | NW 7 | SW 12 | NW 8 | SSW 13 | NW 10 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SW 8 | WSW 7 | WNW 11 | WSW 12 | S 10 | S 9 | SW 21 |
16 | 12 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 55 | 4 | 35 | 28 | 25 | 9 | 5 | 12 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | W 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 |
— | — | 19 | 26 | 31 | 11 | 6 | 18 | 22 | 6 | 15 | 70 | 39 | 215 | 237 | 77 | 126 | 95 | 167 | 604 | 422 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 42 | 53 | 1 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 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.










