Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 28 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
21.5°C
4.1° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, S swell with 405 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m 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 1.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Mon 31st Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 14s
Best Surf 5AM (Mon 31st Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 14s
Most Powerful 8AM (Thu 3rd Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here.

Let’s be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at Depressions aren’t looking like anything to get excited about. There’s a long stretch of ordinary to poor conditions on the cards, with hardly any proper windows of clean surf. You’ll want to pick your moments very carefully, because most of what’s on offer is messy or just too small to be worth the paddle.

Right now, Friday August 28th has some small swell – 4 ft out of the WNW – but the cross-on wind from the west at 9 mph is putting a chop on it. The combined swell energy is moderate at best (201). Water temp is sitting at 71°, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s more than 7° above average, so you won’t need a thick wetsuit. But the surf is poor, with that short period (5 seconds) and messy wind adding up to not much fun.

Saturday August 29th sees a 2 ft SW groundswell in the morning, with a long period of 17 seconds, but the cross-on wind from the west at 9 mph ruins it. Afternoon bumps up to 6 ft from the WNW, but it’s even choppier with 16 mph cross-on wind and a period of just 6 seconds – that’s a messy, blown-out afternoon. Combined energy is strong (589–675), but the quality just isn’t there.

Sunday August 30th offers a small 3 ft SSW groundswell (15-second period) in the morning, light cross-on wind from the west at 6 mph, and a decent 506 energy reading. It’s the best-looking morning of the whole stretch, but still cross-on and only “poor surf conditions” in the data. Not a standout, but if you’re desperate, that Sunday morning might just give you a few manageable runners.

From Monday August 31st all the way through to Thursday September 10th, it’s a long, flat run of tiny waves, mostly 1 ft to 3 ft, with light winds but mostly cross-on or onshore. The combined energy drops right off (down to 130–288). The only day that even flirts with something rideable is Wednesday September 2nd morning – 3 ft S swell, 13-second period, light onshore wind from the SW – but it’s still scored as marginal, not good. That’s nearly two weeks of basically nothing worth chasing.

Friday September 11th is your best and really only highlight in the whole outlook. That morning and afternoon both serve up 2 ft SSW groundswell with a 15–16 second period, and – get this – glassy conditions. Yes, glassy. Light winds from the SSE and SSW at just 3 mph. Combined energy is moderate (210 and 184). It’s small, don’t get me wrong, but for Depressions, glassy and clean with a long-period groundswell is about as good as it gets in this run. The break is fairly consistent, and with that period the waves will have some shape – though at a beach setup, the long period might make things a bit straight. Still, this is the morning to pencil in.

After that, Saturday September 12th fades back to tiny 2 ft stuff with cross-on wind.

So if you’re hanging for a surf, clear your schedule for Friday September 11th. The rest is a write-off. Stick with the longboard or just go for a paddle.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
2
1
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)
0.4
SW
16
0.7
SW
18
0.7
SW
17
1.9
WNW
6
0.7
SW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSE
12
0.5
SSE
11
0.4
SSW
13
0.5
S
11
0.7
S
12
0.8
S
13
0.8
S
12
0.7
S
14
1
S
14
0.9
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
73
312
302
281
255
314
218
183
115
85
71
69
59
145
206
193
179
372
286
218
Wind (km/h)
15
W
10
NW
15
W
25
WNW
15
NW
10
W
20
W
10
NW
10
SSW
10
WSW
5
NNE
10
SSW
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
SW
10
WSW
10
NNW
5
SW
10
WSW
10
NW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
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
2:24PM1.96m
Low Tide
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
7:03AM1.11m
10:40PM0.53m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:30
6:30
6:31
6:31
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:30
7:29
7:28
7:27
7:24
7:23
7:22
 mm
Temp °C
33
30
30
31
25
26
27
22
23
24
19
24
25
22
26
26
23
24
26
22
Feels °C
33
28
29
29
20
24
25
19
23
23
19
23
23
20
23
24
21
22
24
20
  • 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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