Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SW swell with 312 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m 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 0.7m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, Rusty here. It’s a quiet start, so don’t get your hopes up too early.
The first couple days – Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th – there’s hardly any rideable surf. Tiny swell, bad wind direction, and the scores are zero. There’s a real dry spell until Thursday the 27th.
Thursday morning the 27th is the pick of the whole 16-day window. At Depressions (Depressions), you’ll get a 3ft south swell, 11-second period, and glassy conditions with a WSW wind at 3 mph. The water is much warmer than usual for this time of year at 70°, so you won’t need a thick wetsuit. The combined swell energy is moderate (300). This spot is fairly consistent and beginner-friendly, but it gets crowds sometimes, so get there early. The morning is clean; the afternoon gets choppy, so aim for dawn patrol.
Thursday afternoon and Friday the 28th go downhill. Winds strengthen from the WNW, and Friday brings a 4ft WNW windswell with only a 5-second period and choppy conditions. That’s not gonna be pleasant.
Saturday the 29th sees a bigger 6ft WNW swell, but it’s blown out with onshore wind – honestly, this is more of a kiteboarding day than a paddle session. Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are small, cross-onshore, and messy.
From Tuesday the 1st of September through to Friday the 4th, we’ve got tiny waist-high waves in the mornings with light onshore wind. The periods are long (13–16 seconds), but the size is just too small to get excited about – mostly under 3ft.
Saturday morning the 5th of September has a 2ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period and light onshore wind. The energy is moderate (498). That long period could make for some lined-up waves if conditions hold, but it’s still marginal and not a standout by itself.
By Tuesday the 8th of September, the swell drops to 1ft from the SW with a very long 18-second period, but it’s just too small to be worth the paddle.
If I had to pick one session, it’s Thursday the 27th morning at Depressions. Glassy, 3ft, and south swell – that’s your best shot in this whole outlook.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 18 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | WNW 7 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 98 | 135 | 130 | 91 | 133 | 215 | 252 | 183 | 163 | 174 | 127 | 122 | 75 | 312 | 302 | 237 | 255 | 249 | 218 | 215 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 11:14AM1.81m | 11:01PM1.86m | 11:39AM1.87m | 11:45PM1.70m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:03PM0.74m | 5:19AM0.53m | 5:49PM0.69m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — |
 | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 21 |
Feels °C | 29 | 26 | 29 | 32 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 5 | S 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 98 | 135 | 20 | 55 | 133 | 215 | 252 | 183 | 83 | 81 | 127 | 122 | 26 | 312 | 302 | 206 | 255 | 249 | 218 | 215 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 9 | SW 16 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 10 | SW 21 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 29 | 55 | 130 | 91 | 89 | 54 | 38 | 34 | 163 | 174 | 82 | 45 | 68 | 152 | 91 | 127 | 124 | 2 | 17 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SSE 10 | S 13 | SSE 10 | WNW 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | W 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | W 20 | S 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | 16 | 10 | 55 | 10 | 16 | 124 | 118 | 32 | 54 | 73 | 65 | 95 | 33 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 |
| kJ | 10 | 32 | — | 17 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 75 | 124 | 281 | 237 | 201 | 212 | 192 | 119 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 76 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 1 | 1 | 110 | 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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