Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
19.4° C
2.6° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 19s period, SSW swell with 480 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m 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 0.8m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sun 19th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 16s
Best Surf 2AM (Sat 25th Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 21s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 26th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Depressions. To be straight with you, the next week and a half is pretty flat and frustrating. Most days we’re looking at small, weak swell under 3ft and a cross-onshore wind that’s going to mess things up. The wind is mostly light, but it’s coming from the wrong direction, so the surface will be bumpy. There’s not much to get excited about early on, just a few mornings with a weak 2ft to 3ft SSW swell, but the tide and conditions are marginal. The combined energy is low, sitting between 210 and 327, so there’s no punch in the water.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Friday the 24th of July morning. There’s a groundswell with a very long 17-second period, but it’s tiny at 2ft from the SSW. The combined energy reads 581, which is moderate, but it’s still a marginal call. The wind is light and onshore, so it’s not clean. It’s a tease, really.

Things drag on through the 25th and 26th with similar small, onshore conditions. The wind stays light and cross-onshore, and the swell just doesn’t have the size or the direction to make it worthwhile.

Now, hold on, because the end of the month is where it’s at. The standout window is Thursday the 30th of July. Thursday afternoon is the one to circle. The swell is 3ft from the SSE with a 16-second period – that’s a proper groundswell with some shape. The combined energy is a solid 646, and here’s the kicker: the wind goes glassy. That means clean, smooth faces. It’s a beginner-friendly size, so it’s perfect for everyone. Crowds are possible, but with conditions like that, it’ll be worth sharing the water.

Friday the 31st of July morning sees a slightly bigger 4ft SSE swell, with the energy jumping to 1027, but it’s a bit onshore and marginal. The afternoon of the 31st pushes to 5ft SSE, which is borderline for beginners, and the wind is onshore, so it’s messy.

The absolute best of the bunch is Saturday the 1st of August. Saturday morning is a beauty. The swell is 5ft from the S with a 14-second period, giving a combined energy of 726. And again, the wind is glassy. That’s clean, smooth surf, with enough size to be fun for everyone. The afternoon of the 1st drops back to 4ft, but the wind goes onshore, so stick to the morning.

After that, things drop off again into the first week of August with small, weak swell and poor conditions.

So, to wrap it up: the first week and a half is a write-off. The real standouts are Thursday the 30th of July afternoon and Saturday the 1st of August morning. Both have glassy conditions and a nice, manageable groundswell. That’s your best bet.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
2
1
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
WNW
16
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
0.8
S
12
0.8
S
11
0.7
SSW
16
0.5
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
13
1.4
WNW
6
1.4
WNW
6
0.6
SSW
24
0.4
SW
24
0.7
SW
21
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
142
238
238
180
163
220
105
166
318
259
218
215
213
102
110
126
368
141
467
Wind (km/h)
5
SE
10
SSW
15
WSW
0
S
10
SW
15
WSW
5
NNW
10
WSW
20
W
10
NW
10
SW
15
W
10
NW
10
WSW
15
W
5
N
10
SW
15
WSW
5
NW
Wind State
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
1:34AM1.67m
2:53PM1.83m
2:44AM1.43m
3:39PM1.86m
4:21AM1.26m
4:27PM1.87m
6:26AM1.22m
5:17PM1.89m
8:06AM1.27m
6:06PM1.92m
9:02AM1.34m
6:53PM1.97m
Low Tide
8:04AM0.57m
9:18PM0.91m
8:40AM0.77m
10:46PM0.83m
9:19AM0.96m
00:07AM0.71m
10:07AM1.11m
1:11AM0.58m
11:12AM1.20m
1:59AM0.47m
12:20PM1.24m
2:39AM0.37m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:03
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:09
8:09
8:08
8:08
8:07
8:07
8:07
 mm
Temp °C
24
24
26
23
26
29
26
28
30
27
27
31
28
31
32
29
27
28
27
Feels °C
24
25
27
22
24
27
23
26
27
22
26
30
24
30
31
26
26
28
25
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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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