Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
18.9° C
2.3° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, S swell with 598 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Depressions in the next 16 days are 1.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Thu 16th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 9s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 19th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 14s
Most Powerful11PM (Sun 19th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s suss out what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks down at Depressions.

Alright, to be straight with you, this forecast is a grind. We’ve got a long stretch of marginal surf and a lot of afternoons getting chopped up by cross-onshore breezes. The first real chance to get a wave that feels good won’t come until Friday morning, July 24th. That’s over a week of waiting for something that’s barely a 2-out-of-10, but it’s the best the window has to offer, so let’s be patient.

The Standout: Friday, July 24th Morning at Depressions

This is the one. Early Friday the 24th, the wind is light and straight onshore from the southwest at 6 mph, which is actually fine here. The swell is 4ft from the south at 13 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell with some punch. The combined wave energy is strong, coming in at 828, so there’s a lot of juice in the water. It’s not massive, but it’s the most promising combination of size and period we see in the whole run. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild there. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, and it’s fairly consistent, so there will be waves. Just be aware that crowds are sometimes a thing here.

Steady, but Not a Standout: Saturday, July 25th Morning

The next morning, Saturday the 25th, looks similar but the energy is even more intense at 1050. Same 4ft swell from the south, 14-second period. The wind is dead calm, which is glassy and rare – a huge plus. The problem is that the score is still just a 2, suggesting the tide might mess with it or it’s just on the edge of quality. Still, if you miss Friday, this is your next best shot. The swell is a little under 5ft, so still fine for most surfers.

The Rest of the Run

Honestly, the rest is a blur of small, onshore slop. Mornings are generally the best bet with light wind, but the swell is tiny – 2ft to 3ft – and often short period or long period that just doesn’t line up right for this beach. The afternoons turn choppy with wind picking up to 9-12 mph from the west, making it messy. There’s a tiny window around Sunday morning, July 26th, with a 2ft swell from the SSW at 19 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell, which can sometimes break too straight for a beach break, making it tricky. Not one to get excited about.

If you’re after a paddle, aim for the mornings of the 24th or 25th. Otherwise, the conditions are more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on those choppy afternoons.

Stay hopeful, it’s only a forecast.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Wed night, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
2
1
0
2
1
0
2
1
1
2
1
0
2
0
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)
1.4
NW
6
1.1
WNW
9
1.1
WNW
8
1.3
WNW
9
0.4
WNW
18
0.4
WNW
17
0.4
WNW
17
0.6
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.5
WNW
16
1
S
14
1
S
14
1.1
S
14
0.9
S
12
0.8
S
13
0.6
S
11
0.6
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
133
193
184
249
127
97
96
194
157
142
417
399
462
236
202
103
156
256
201
Wind (km/h)
5
ENE
10
SW
10
SW
5
ENE
10
SW
10
WSW
0
ESE
10
SW
10
WSW
0
SSW
10
SW
15
WSW
5
NNE
10
SW
15
WSW
5
NW
10
SW
20
W
10
NW
Wind State
glassy
on
on
cross-off
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
10:56PM2.37m
12:45PM1.70m
11:46PM2.18m
1:27PM1.75m
00:38AM1.94m
2:10PM1.80m
1:34AM1.67m
2:53PM1.83m
2:44AM1.43m
3:39PM1.86m
4:21AM1.26m
4:27PM1.87m
Low Tide
6:08AM-0.01m
5:45PM0.97m
6:48AM0.15m
6:48PM0.96m
7:27AM0.35m
7:58PM0.95m
8:04AM0.57m
9:18PM0.91m
8:40AM0.77m
10:46PM0.83m
9:19AM0.96m
00:07AM0.71m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
5:58
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:12
8:10
8:10
8:09
8:09
8:08
8:08
 mm
Temp °C
29
28
28
25
24
24
22
24
24
22
24
25
24
26
29
27
28
31
28
Feels °C
28
28
28
24
25
25
23
25
24
23
24
25
23
25
27
24
27
28
23
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  • 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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