Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
20.6° C
3.8° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 24s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 21s period, SSW swell with 584 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period with WNW 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 (Jul 24) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s 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 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Fri 24th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 7s
Best Surf 8AM (Fri 24th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 24s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sat 25th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 21s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for this stretch.

Honestly, it’s a pretty quiet run at Depressions for the next couple of weeks. The water is sitting at 69°F which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a nice bonus if you’re just having a paddle, but the surf itself? It’s mostly small, messy, and onshore. We’re looking at a long stretch of nothing special, but there’s a sliver of hope late in the game.

The first hint of anything rideable creeps in on Thursday morning, July 23rd, but it’s a bit of a letdown. The swell is a tiny 2ft from the SSE with a long 13-second period, but it’s hitting under a cross-onshore 6 mph wind from the WSW. The combined energy is weak (349), and the conditions are poor. That afternoon gets worse – the swell jumps to 6ft but it’s a short-period 6-second wind swell from the WNW, with a 9 mph cross-onshore breeze making it choppy and ugly. Not worth a paddle.

Friday July 24th through to the end of July are all marginal at best. Swells hang around the 1ft to 3ft mark, mostly from the SSW or SW, with periods anywhere from 16 to 24 seconds. That long period (groundswell) is promising for a point break, but these are tiny waves, and the wind is mostly onshore or light cross-onshore. The energy is moderate (usually between 440 and 758), but with the onshore flow, it’s just not clean. The conditions are described as poor or marginal, so don’t get your hopes up.

The end of the first week and start of August sees a slight rise. On Friday August 1st morning, we’ve got 3ft from the SSE at 13 seconds, with a light cross-onshore breeze from the S at 3 mph. The energy is moderate (660), but it’s still a marginal call. The afternoon gets choppy again with a 9 mph cross-onshore. Saturday August 2nd is similar – 3ft from the SSE in the morning, but it’s looking marginal.

The real standout, and honestly the only one worth highlighting, comes on Sunday August 2nd afternoon. We’ve got a 5ft swell from the WNW, but it’s a short-period 6-second wind swell, and the wind is a light cross-onshore from the S at 6 mph. The energy is moderate (281). It’s not perfect, but it’s the biggest wave of the whole forecast, and the light wind could keep it from being a total mess. It’s still marginal, but it’s the best of a quiet bunch. For beginners, that 5ft is a bit of a push, but for the average surfer, it’s doable.

After that, it drops right off. From August 3rd to the 7th, we’re back to tiny, poor waves – 1ft to 3ft, mostly short period, with onshore or cross-onshore winds. The energy drops to weak (as low as 75 on August 4th morning). It’s a real flat spell to end the run.

So, to put it straight: the best bet is the afternoon of Sunday August 2nd at Depressions. It’s not a classic, but it’s the biggest swell of the window with a light wind. The rest of the 16 days is mostly a write-off. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because this area can turn around, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 22°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
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
2
2
1
2
0
0
3
1
1
3
1
1
3
1
2
3
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSE
13
1.7
WNW
6
1.5
WNW
7
0.6
SSW
24
0.4
SW
24
0.7
SW
21
0.7
SSW
21
0.6
SSW
21
0.9
SW
19
0.7
SW
19
0.7
SW
18
0.8
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
18
0.7
SSW
19
0.8
SSW
17
0.8
SW
17
0.8
SSW
17
0.7
SW
16
0.6
S
17
0.7
SW
16
0.6
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
137
220
215
368
141
467
404
288
546
384
327
399
408
325
377
358
377
274
215
258
164
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
15
W
5
NW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
WSW
10
WSW
10
NNW
5
SSW
10
WSW
5
ESE
10
SW
10
SW
5
NE
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
SW
10
WSW
0
NE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
High Tide
8:06AM1.27m
6:06PM1.92m
9:02AM1.34m
6:53PM1.97m
9:37AM1.39m
7:36PM2.03m
10:04AM1.43m
8:16PM2.10m
10:30AM1.46m
8:53PM2.15m
10:56AM1.49m
9:29PM2.17m
11:22AM1.52m
10:03PM2.15m
Low Tide
11:12AM1.20m
1:59AM0.47m
12:20PM1.24m
2:39AM0.37m
1:15PM1.23m
3:14AM0.29m
2:00PM1.20m
3:47AM0.23m
2:39PM1.15m
4:18AM0.20m
3:16PM1.11m
4:48AM0.19m
3:54PM1.07m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:07
8:07
8:06
8:05
8:05
8:04
8:02
 mm
Temp °C
29
32
26
28
29
26
29
31
27
29
30
27
27
28
25
26
27
25
27
28
25
Feels °C
28
31
24
28
29
26
28
30
25
29
30
26
28
28
26
26
27
25
27
28
25
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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