Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SSW swell with 331 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 17s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s 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 0.9m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) 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+) | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's have a look at what's coming down the line for Depressions.
Honestly, mate, it’s a bit of a grim outlook for the next couple of weeks. We're looking at a long stretch of mostly poor conditions with just a few windows where it might be worth a paddle. The combined swell energy is all over the place, with a few days showing moderate energy, like around 166, but the quality just isn't there.
The first real sniff of anything rideable comes on Friday, August 28. The morning session might be worth a look, with a 3ft WNW swell on offer. The wind is light and slightly onshore from the WSW at 3 mph, so it could be okay, but the report says it's only marginal. The combined energy is 353, which is moderate.
From that point on, it's a pretty bleak run. We see a lot of cross-onshore winds and very small waves, with the swell height barely cracking 3ft most days. The energy picks up on September 3 and 4, with readings around 425 and 421, but the wind is always cross-on, making it choppy.
There's a little glimmer on Saturday, September 6. The morning has a 3ft SSW swell with light cross-onshore wind, but the energy is still a moderate 360. The afternoon pops a 6ft WNW swell, but it's with a short 6-second period and 12 mph cross-onshore wind—that's basically a windswell and it’ll be a messy, choppy mess. That’s not for a paddle board, that’s kite-surfing territory if anything.
The only real standout, and I'm using that term loosely, is far off. On Wednesday, September 9, the morning shows a 3ft S swell with light onshore wind from the SW. That’s a fairly consistent-looking day with moderate energy (451), and the wind is nearly glassy. For Depressions, that’s about as good as it’s going to get in this window. After that, the period and energy fade again.
So, mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 9. It’s not going to be epic, but with clean conditions and a little bit of push, it’s your best bet in a long, quiet run. For beginners, that 3ft swell is totally manageable. The rest of the month is a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Fri morning, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 75 | 127 | 68 | 312 | 302 | 261 | 255 | 249 | 218 | 264 | 116 | 115 | 71 | 68 | 99 | 134 | 134 | 158 | 150 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:45PM2.07m | 10:51AM1.73m | 10:22PM1.99m | 11:14AM1.81m | 11:01PM1.86m | 11:39AM1.87m | 11:45PM1.70m | 12:07PM1.93m | 00:36AM1.51m | 12:42PM1.96m | 1:45AM1.33m | 1:25PM1.97m | 3:36AM1.21m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:32AM0.32m | 4:22PM0.81m | 4:56AM0.41m | 5:03PM0.74m | 5:19AM0.53m | 5:49PM0.69m | 5:43AM0.68m | 6:42PM0.65m | 6:08AM0.82m | 7:45PM0.63m | 6:34AM0.97m | 9:06PM0.60m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 33 | 32 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 23 |
Feels °C | 30 | 33 | 33 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 13 |
| kJ | 55 | 43 | 26 | 312 | 302 | 261 | 255 | 249 | 218 | 264 | 116 | 115 | 71 | 59 | 99 | 134 | 134 | 158 | 121 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 10 | W 12 | W 11 | SSE 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | WNW 4 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 75 | 66 | 68 | 152 | 91 | 127 | 124 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 96 | 73 | 69 | 6 | 17 | 80 | 69 | 68 | 150 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | S 19 | W 10 | W 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | W 20 | S 9 | S 13 | SSE 10 | W 10 | WNW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 13 | WNW 10 | W 12 | S 10 |
| kJ | 65 | 117 | 35 | 27 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 90 | 20 | 8 | 5 | 68 | 31 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 30 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | W 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 |
| kJ | — | 127 | 37 | 93 | 189 | 206 | 153 | 181 | 195 | 75 | 40 | 31 | 15 | 7 | 14 | 27 | 25 | 46 | 58 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 142 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 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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