Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
19.5° C
2.7° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 18 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: Saturday 25 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 21s period, SW swell with 467 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m 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 0.7m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 12s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sat 18th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 16s
Best Surf 2AM (Sat 25th Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 21s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sat 25th Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 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 offer at Depressions.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough stretch. The surf is tiny and the wind is mostly blowing straight onshore, which is a nasty combo. There’s a big gap of dud days before we even see a glimmer of hope. For the first ten days, from Saturday the 18th of July right through to Monday the 27th of July, the waves are a joke. Swell heights are stuck between 1ft and 3ft, and it’s coming from the SW with a period that’s all over the place, but mostly onshore winds from the WSW and SW are just killing it. The combined energy is weak to moderate (like 384 to 624), but it doesn’t matter because the wind is ruining any chance of a clean wave. The water is a warm 67°F and that’s a whopping 5°F warmer than usual for this time of year – feels like a bath, but it’s no use for surfing.

There’s a slight shift on Tuesday the 28th of July. The morning winds are light and onshore from the SW, but the swell is still only 2ft from the SW with a period of 17 seconds. The combined energy is up there (777), and the afternoon looks the same. It’s marginal, but you might find a soft, long-period wave if you’re desperate. It’s still not great.

Then on Wednesday the 29th of July, things get a little weird. The wind switches to a light cross-shore from the SE, and the swell shifts to the WNW at 4ft but with a short, choppy period of only 9 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (605). This is a different swell direction, but the short period means it’ll be a bit of a mess – more of a windswell than a proper groundswell. It’s not a standout, just a different kind of average.

The absolute best of a bad bunch – and I’m stretching here – is the morning of Thursday the 30th of July. The wind is light from the S at 5 km/h, almost glassy, with a swell of 2ft from the SSW and a period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is 399. It’s tiny, but it’s the cleanest window we get. If you’re a longboarder or a beginner, this is your moment. The break is rated for beginners and is fairly consistent, but it’s also sometimes crowded, so expect a few heads out. After that, it’s back to onshore junk until the 1st of August, where the swell bumps up to 4ft from the S but with onshore or cross-onshore winds, so it’s still a no-go.

In short, this is a pretty bleak run. The only thing to get excited about is that Thursday morning window with the light wind – it’s a small window of clean, tiny waves. Don’t hold your breath for the rest.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

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

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
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
1
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
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)
0.6
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.5
WNW
16
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
0.7
S
12
0.8
S
11
0.6
SSW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.7
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.3
SW
26
0.6
S
13
0.6
SSW
24
0.4
SW
24
0.7
SW
21
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
194
159
142
238
238
139
163
166
127
207
392
201
218
215
213
108
105
115
368
162
467
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
15
WSW
5
E
10
SW
10
WSW
0
NW
10
SW
15
WSW
5
NNW
15
WSW
25
W
15
NW
10
WSW
20
W
10
NW
10
WSW
15
W
10
NW
10
SW
15
WSW
5
N
Wind State
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
2:10PM1.80m
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
7:58PM0.95m
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
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:00
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
23
25
23
24
25
23
26
28
26
29
32
29
29
32
28
29
31
29
27
28
26
Feels °C
24
24
23
24
25
22
24
26
23
26
27
25
28
29
24
28
29
26
26
27
24
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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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