Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m not gonna lie to ya—this stretch is a real mixed bag, and for a lot of it, you’re better off staying on the couch. The first real glimmer of something worthwhile doesn’t show up until late in the piece, so we gotta be patient.

We kick off on Sunday the 12th with tiny 2-foot swell from the SSW, period around 14 seconds. The morning has glassy conditions, and the water is sitting at 63°, which is about what you’d expect for this time of year. But it’s just too small and ordinary to get excited about—surfable but very ordinary. By the arvo, the wind swings cross-on and it’s pretty much a write-off.

Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are flat and forgettable. Swell drops right off on Tuesday morning to just 1 foot, and the combined energy is weak at 56. No point paddling out. The wind is onshore or cross-on, and the wave state is either unknown or choppy. This is a real lull.

Wednesday the 15th sees a change in direction—a pulse of WNW swell hits 4 feet in the morning, but the period is a short 8 seconds, and it climbs to 6 feet by the arvo with a junky 6-second period. The wind turns moderate cross-on from the WNW, making it choppy. The combined energy is moderate at 358, but the quality is poor. It’s more of a mess than a surf.

Thursday the 16th stays marginal, with 5-foot WNW swell and decent energy (427 in the morning, 466 in the arvo), but the wind is either on or cross-on, and the wave comment is “marginal.” It’s not worth the drive.

Friday the 17th is a shocking day—cross-shore winds and tiny 1-foot swell in the arvo, despite a very long period of 17 seconds. That long period means it’ll break straight at a beach break, and with no size, it’s a dud. Saturday the 18th stays poor, with a 2-foot morning and cross-on winds.

We roll through another week of the same story—small swell, poor to marginal conditions, and winds that are mostly on or cross-on. There’s a stretch from the 19th to the 21st where the swell is around 2 to 3 feet, but it’s just not enough. The water stays about average temp, but the quality is missing.

Now, here’s the standout. On Wednesday the 22nd, we finally get something clean. The morning has a light cross-offshore breeze from the ESE at 6 mph, and the swell is 3 feet from the SSE with a solid 15-second period. The combined energy is a strong 459, and the conditions are described as “clean.” This is the best morning on offer—small but clean, with that long-period groundswell giving the waves some shape. Just keep in mind, long period like that can be tricky at beach breaks; it might line up better on a bank. Crowds are possible at Depressions, so get there early.

Thursday the 23rd has a similar vibe: 4-foot swell from the S in the morning, period 14 seconds, energy hitting 653, and light cross-on wind. Still marginal according to the notes, but it’s the next best thing after the 22nd.

Friday the 24th through to Monday the 27th drifts back into poor or marginal territory, with the swell dropping to 2 feet by the end, so don’t hold your breath.

Overall, if you’re keen, circle Wednesday the 22nd morning. It’s not big, but it’s the cleanest wave you’ll see in this 16-day window. The rest of it? Mostly small and messy, with a lot of days where you’re just watching the horizon. Patience, mate.

Rusty.

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