Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 16 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
21.2° C
3.9° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, SW swell with 251 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Sun 16th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 16s
Best Surf 8AM (Sun 16th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 16s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sun 16th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Looking at the forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days, and I gotta be straight with you – it’s a pretty quiet stretch. There’s a long gap right at the start with nothing worth paddling out for. The first real sniff of something rideable doesn’t show up until Tuesday afternoon the 18th of August, and even then it’s marginal. From there, it’s a whole lot of poor conditions with very few windows that look any good. The water temp is reading 70°F at the start, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – a solid 7°F above average, so you can leave the 4/3 at home.

So, for the first few days – Sunday the 16th right through to Tuesday morning the 18th – don’t bother. The swell is tiny, under 3ft, and the wind is all over the place, mostly onshore or cross-onshore. The wave energy is weak, and the conditions are consistently described as poor. It’s a total write-off.

Tuesday afternoon the 18th of August gives us a tiny glimmer. A 2ft SSW groundswell with a long 16-second period rolls in, and the wind goes light cross-onshore. It’s still labelled as marginal, but it’s the first time the score isn’t a zero. The combined energy bumps up to moderate, but honestly, it’s nothing to get excited about for a paddle.

The rest of the week up to Saturday the 23rd is much of the same – tiny swells, poor conditions, and energy readings mostly weak. On Sunday the 23rd, there’s a 1ft SW swell with a very long period of 19 seconds, but the energy is still weak, and it’s panned as poor. A long-period groundswell like that is better for a reef or point, but here at Depressions it’s just not delivering.

The pattern stays flat and uninspiring right through to Saturday the 29th of August. That morning, we finally get a slight bump. A 2ft SSW swell with a 15-second period shows up, the wind is light offshore from the SW, and the combined energy hits moderate – the best we’ve seen in two weeks. Wind is glassy and clean in the early morning. If you’re desperate, this is your window. Swell direction is SSW, while the spot prefers WSW, so it’s not a perfect match, but it’s the standout of the whole outlook.

Sunday the 30th of August morning and afternoon both get a marginal call with 2-3ft SSW swell and light offshore wind, energy moderate. Again, it’s rideable but nothing special.

Then on Monday the 31st of August afternoon, the swell jumps to 6ft from the WNW with a short 6-second period. The energy is strong, but that short period windswell with light onshore wind will be a messy, lumpy affair. Only for the experienced out there, and even then, it looks more like a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session.

Bottom line: Saturday the 29th morning is the pick of the bunch. Clean, glassy, small but rideable. The rest is a long, flat wait.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 21°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu morning, min 23°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
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
1
0
0
1
0
1
2
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
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)
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.9
WNW
8
0.5
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
16
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.8
WNW
7
0.4
SSW
13
0.8
WNW
7
1.1
WNW
6
0.9
WNW
8
1.1
WNW
5
1.2
WNW
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
212
191
188
188
186
140
104
153
165
184
164
110
118
118
79
59
60
69
120
74
87
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
15
WSW
5
NNW
10
WSW
15
W
10
NW
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
SW
10
WSW
0
NE
10
SW
10
SW
5
ESE
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
ESE
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NNW
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
cross-off
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
High Tide
1:03PM1.89m
1:15AM1.53m
1:40PM1.88m
2:25AM1.33m
2:22PM1.84m
4:21AM1.20m
3:14PM1.80m
4:21PM1.79m
8:37AM1.33m
5:31PM1.81m
8:55AM1.39m
6:29PM1.88m
Low Tide
7:27PM0.75m
7:02AM0.78m
8:36PM0.76m
7:28AM0.97m
10:00PM0.75m
7:51AM1.12m
11:30PM0.69m
00:43AM0.59m
10:39AM1.31m
1:34AM0.49m
12:14PM1.30m
2:13AM0.40m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
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>
6:20
6:20
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:24
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:45
7:44
7:43
7:42
7:40
7:39
7:37
 mm
Temp °C
25
26
24
27
30
25
29
29
26
29
29
27
30
29
27
29
30
27
30
30
28
Feels °C
24
25
23
26
28
22
28
28
26
28
29
27
30
29
27
29
30
27
29
30
28
  • Map Icons:
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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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