Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with 334 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s 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 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here.
Look, I'll be straight with you – the next 16 days at Depressions are a proper write-off for paddle surfing. We've got a solid 16-day stretch where the conditions just won't line up for a decent wave. There's no standout session, no hidden gem, just a long, frustrating gap of poor to marginal surf.
From Monday the 10th right through, it's a tale of tiny, weak swell and onshore wind. The combined wave energy is weak to moderate (between 138 and 383), but the real killer is the wind. For almost the entire period, it's coming from the WSW or SSW, which is straight onshore for this break. That's a deal-breaker. The water is a very unusual 4° warmer than normal for this time of year (70°), but that's cold comfort when the surf is flat and bumpy.
We do see a small bump from Wednesday the 14th of August into the weekend, with the swell height nudging up to 3 ft from the SSW, and combined energy climbing. But it's still a wind-affected, marginal prospect. A few mornings show light offshore breezes from the SSW, like on Thursday the 15th and Saturday the 17th, but the swell is too weak to make anything of it.
Later in the period, around Tuesday the 20th of August, there's a shift to a WNW swell, but the period is a very short 5-6 seconds – that's just wind chop, no power. By Wednesday the 21st, that WNW swell is 6 ft with a 6-second period and a moderate cross-shore wind. That's not surfable; it's a mess for anyone. Honestly, the setup looks far more interesting for a kite surfer than anyone on a paddle board from the 18th onwards.
Bottom line: the whole 16-day window is a blank run for surf. Hang the board up, go for a fish, or clean the wax off. These long gaps happen here, and it's best to not get your hopes up. Keep an eye on the charts, though – it tends not to stay this poor forever.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 102 | 96 | 79 | 123 | 121 | 109 | 127 | 125 | 122 | 160 | 154 | 104 | 180 | 240 | 295 | 295 | 318 | 302 | 268 | 268 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:19PM2.40m | 10:12AM1.62m | 9:09PM2.41m | 10:46AM1.71m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:01PM1.07m | 3:39AM-0.05m | 2:57PM0.96m | 4:19AM-0.04m | 3:49PM0.87m | 4:56AM0.04m | 4:41PM0.80m | 5:30AM0.19m | 5:33PM0.75m | 6:03AM0.37m | 6:28PM0.74m | 6:34AM0.58m | 7:27PM0.75m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 28 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 102 | 59 | 79 | 123 | 121 | 109 | 127 | 125 | 122 | 160 | 154 | 104 | 180 | 240 | 295 | 295 | 318 | 302 | 268 | 268 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 14 | SSE 12 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 4 | SW 13 | S 10 | WNW 10 | S 10 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 32 | 29 | 15 | 33 | 14 | 16 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 29 | 22 | 103 | 100 | 10 | 45 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 10 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | S 12 | WNW 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 20 | SW 18 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | WNW 10 | S 10 | W 12 | S 10 |
| kJ | 97 | 96 | 51 | 25 | 10 | 27 | 44 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 75 | 87 | 16 | 20 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — | W 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | W 5 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 13 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 21 | 18 | 13 | 34 | 22 | 11 | 45 | 46 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 310 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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