
Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SSE swell with 318 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s period with SSE 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Depressions in the next 16 days are 0.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 9s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
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 table for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, things are looking pretty flat and quiet for a long while. The first real surf we see is a small window around Wednesday, July 29th, but it's a tough sell. The main spot to talk about is Depressions. It's a beginner-friendly break, fairly consistent, but don't expect much.
On Wednesday morning, July 29th, we've got a tiny 2ft swell pushing in from the SW, with a long 16-second period. The water is feeling like a bath, a massive 4° warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 69°. The wind is a light cross-on from the SSW, so it's not going to be glassy. The combined energy is moderate (476). It's a marginal call at best. The afternoon gets worse, with the wind turning onshore and the surf quality dropping to poor.
Thursday, July 30th, and Friday, July 31st, are more of the same story: tiny 2ft swell, light onshore winds, and the wave comment just says "marginal" or "poor." You'll be scratching for a ride.
The weekend (August 1st and 2nd) offers a slight bump in size, up to 3ft, with a short period of 8-9 seconds from the WNW. The energy is still moderate (275 on Saturday morning). The wind is light and onshore, but the short period means weak, crumbly waves. It's not great, but it's probably the best of a bad bunch. The afternoon winds go cross-on, so mornings are the cleaner option.
Then we hit a real dry spell. From Monday, August 3rd, all the way through to Wednesday, August 13th, it's a wasteland. The swells are tiny, rarely above 2ft, and the "poor surf conditions" tag is a constant companion. The energy drops to weak triple digits and even double digits. There's nothing to get excited about. The only thing worth noting is on the morning of August 7th, a very long period 19-second swell from the SW shows up, but it's only 1ft. That's a whisper, not a wave.
The best option on offer? Honestly, it's a tie between the mornings of Saturday, August 1st, and Sunday, August 2nd at Depressions. With a 3ft swell from the WNW and light onshore wind, it's the biggest and cleanest we'll see. But it's still small, weak, and the crowds will be there. It's not a standout, it's just the least-bad option.
This is a long stretch of quiet water. Don't hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSE 14 | SSW 16 | SSE 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
206 | 226 | 228 | 204 | 144 | 181 | 161 | 148 | 116 | 112 | 109 | 166 | 177 | 177 | 169 | 110 | 113 | 118 | 86 | 32 | 71 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 11:22AM1.52m | 10:03PM2.15m | 11:48AM1.56m | 10:37PM2.09m | 12:14PM1.60m | 11:12PM1.97m | 12:40PM1.66m | 11:50PM1.82m | 1:08PM1.72m | 00:33AM1.63m | 1:39PM1.79m | 1:30AM1.44m | 2:17PM1.85m | 2:54AM1.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:54PM1.07m | 5:16AM0.22m | 4:33PM1.04m | 5:43AM0.28m | 5:15PM1.01m | 6:08AM0.38m | 6:01PM0.99m | 6:32AM0.50m | 6:55PM0.95m | 6:57AM0.64m | 8:01PM0.90m | 7:23AM0.79m | 9:22PM0.82m | ||||||||
6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 22 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 6 |
92 | 62 | 110 | 90 | 68 | 115 | 92 | 148 | 75 | 112 | 109 | 166 | 177 | 177 | 169 | 110 | 113 | 118 | 86 | 32 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSE 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 14 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 6 | SW 14 |
206 | 226 | 228 | 204 | 144 | 181 | 161 | 81 | 116 | 56 | 50 | 51 | 47 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 26 | 37 | 36 | 11 | 71 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSW 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | WNW 5 | SSW 14 | — | SW 15 | S 10 | SW 14 | S 10 | S 12 | SW 18 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | NW 9 |
178 | 134 | 164 | 101 | 96 | 24 | 82 | — | 33 | 31 | 30 | 17 | 28 | 49 | 30 | 26 | 41 | 40 | 36 | 29 | 20 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | — | WNW 5 | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — |
3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 109 | 53 | 76 | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 148 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 142 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 149 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










