Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 22 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
20.4°C
3.1° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, S swell with 400 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s period with SSW 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s 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 1.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 11s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sat 22nd Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 15s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 26th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 26th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s chew the fat about the surf ahead for Depressions.

Look, straight up, this stretch is a bit of a tough one. We’ve got a long, slow grind ahead with only one proper standout window, and that’s right at the tail end. The early part of the run is pretty much a write-off for any decent paddle surfing, with mostly poor conditions and weak, messy energy.

From Saturday the 22nd right through to the end of August, it’s a real battle. The swell is tiny, mostly around 1ft to 2ft from the SSW or SW, and the wind is constantly on or cross-onshore from the SW or WSW. It’s just not happening – a lot of poor surf conditions, and even the afternoons get a bit choppy. The combined energy is weak, sitting between 145 and 274, which is just a fart in a wetsuit. There’s a brief bump on Tuesday the 25th afternoon with 5ft from the WNW, but the period is a short 6 seconds and the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s messy and unappealing.

Then from Wednesday the 26th through to the end of August, things improve slightly but are still marginal. The swell picks up a bit, hitting 3ft to 6ft at times, with the combined energy climbing into the moderate range (321 to 714). The wind is mostly light, which is a plus, but it’s often cross-onshore. Wednesday afternoon the 26th has 3ft from the S with 14-second period and moderate energy (714), and while it’s still cross-onshore, it’s a step up. Then on Monday the 31st of August afternoon we get a real tease: 6ft from the WNW, a short 6-second period, but the wind goes glassy. That’s the first real clean look, and it’s rated as good surf conditions, but the short period means it’ll be a bit fat and dumpy on the bank.

The standout, and really the only one worth getting excited about, is the first week of September. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th see a solid push of groundswell from the WNW, with heights around 4ft to 5ft and a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy jumps into the strong range – 719 on Thursday morning and a whopping 1059 on Friday morning. That’s serious grunt. The wind stays light and onshore (SW), so it’ll be a bit bumpy, but the power is there. Friday afternoon the 4th also swings a long-period 20-second S swell at 2ft, which is a beautiful line but small. For the experienced crew, that Friday morning with the 5ft WNW swell (1059 energy) is the pick of the entire run. It’s not perfect with the onshore wind, but the size and energy are proper. Remember, the water is sitting at 69°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – a solid 6°F above average, so you can go in with a spring suit or even just a rashie.

After that, Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th drop back to smaller, weaker S/SSE swells in the 3ft to 3ft range, with moderate energy (613 to 668) and light onshore winds. Just average, marginal stuff to close it out.

So, if you’re keen, save your energy for that Thursday 3rd to Friday 4th September window. That’s the only time the ocean really wakes up. The rest is mostly a blank run for a proper surf.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 35°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSW
13
0.3
SW
17
0.4
SSW
15
0.4
SW
19
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.5
SW
17
0.5
SW
16
1.4
WNW
6
1.3
WNW
6
0.6
S
15
1
S
14
1
S
14
0.8
S
12
0.7
S
12
0.6
S
11
0.9
WNW
8
0.7
WNW
8
0.6
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
56
45
71
89
79
112
109
98
135
132
115
111
157
400
361
184
137
81
122
56
246
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
WSW
15
WNW
10
NNW
10
WSW
10
W
5
ENE
10
SW
10
SW
5
E
5
SSW
10
WSW
5
NE
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
8:55AM1.39m
6:29PM1.88m
9:13AM1.44m
7:17PM1.97m
9:31AM1.49m
7:57PM2.04m
9:50AM1.54m
8:34PM2.09m
10:09AM1.59m
9:10PM2.11m
10:30AM1.66m
9:45PM2.07m
10:51AM1.73m
10:22PM1.99m
Low Tide
12:14PM1.30m
2:13AM0.40m
1:10PM1.24m
2:46AM0.33m
1:52PM1.16m
3:15AM0.27m
2:29PM1.07m
3:42AM0.25m
3:05PM0.98m
4:07AM0.27m
3:43PM0.89m
4:32AM0.32m
4:22PM0.81m
4:56AM0.41m
clear
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>
6:24
6:24
6:26
6:26
6:28
6:28
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:37
7:37
7:36
7:35
7:32
7:31
7:30
 mm
Temp °C
28
29
27
29
29
27
30
31
29
31
34
29
35
33
30
33
33
29
31
32
29
Feels °C
28
29
26
29
29
26
28
30
27
29
32
25
33
32
27
32
32
28
32
33
29
  • 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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