Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 19s period, SSW swell with 212 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s 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 (Aug 02) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s 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 0.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) 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 0.4m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. It’s a tough stretch for the Depressions over the next 16 days. I’m looking at the charts and honestly, there’s not a single standout session in the whole run. The surf is just too small and the wind is mostly on it or cross-onshore, leaving the waves messy and weak. The only break on the radar is Depressions, and it’s a beginner-friendly, fairly consistent spot that’s fairly exposed to the swell, but it’s not delivering.
Starting off on Sunday, the 2nd of August, we’ve got a weak 3 ft swell coming from the WNW with a short period of 8 seconds. The wind is onshore from the SW at 6 mph, so the surface is bumpy. The combined energy is only 159 (moderate wave energy), but the water is a notable 70°, which is 7° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual. Even so, the surf is poor. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are more of the same: small 3 ft to 2 ft swells, short periods, onshore wind, and the wave comment is “poor surf conditions” every time.
From Wednesday the 5th through to the middle of the month, the swell drops even further. We’re looking at 1 ft to 2 ft waves, mostly from the SW or SSW, with periods jumping around. There’s a brief pulse of longer period swell on the 7th and 8th (19 and 18 seconds), but the swell height is tiny – 1 ft – so it’s just a long wait for a knee-high wave. The wind stays mainly onshore or cross-onshore, so don’t get your hopes up. The combined energy values are low, mostly between 59 and 263 (weak to moderate).
The end of the second week, around the 14th to the 17th of August, sees a slight increase in swell size, up to 2 ft to 3 ft, and the period extends to 16-18 seconds. The energy picks up a bit, hitting 381 (moderate) on the 15th, but the wind is still cross-onshore and choppy, especially in the afternoons. The 15th of August might be the best of a bad bunch, but that’s not saying much – it’s still only 3 ft and messy.
If you’re a beginner just wanting to get wet, Depressions might be okay on a flat day, but for anyone looking for a proper wave, it’s a long wait. The water is warm, but that’s about the only positive. With the wind direction mostly onshore and the swell so small, this setup actually looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Hang in there – forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a blank run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | SW 13 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 12 | WNW 9 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SW 17 | S 18 | SW 16 | S 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 96 | 129 | 47 | 113 | 110 | 40 | 65 | 34 | 99 | 51 | 31 | 56 | 46 | 44 | 63 | 94 | 143 | 75 | 97 | 65 | 125 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:08PM1.72m | 00:33AM1.63m | 1:39PM1.79m | 1:30AM1.44m | 2:17PM1.85m | 2:54AM1.26m | 3:07PM1.92m | 5:09AM1.17m | 4:08PM1.99m | 7:18AM1.23m | 5:17PM2.09m | 8:21AM1.34m | 6:24PM2.20m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:55PM0.95m | 6:57AM0.64m | 8:01PM0.90m | 7:23AM0.79m | 9:22PM0.82m | 7:54AM0.94m | 10:54PM0.69m | 8:38AM1.08m | 00:16AM0.50m | 10:00AM1.18m | 1:19AM0.30m | 11:40AM1.21m | 2:11AM0.13m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 23 | 27 | 28 | 23 | 27 | 28 | 23 |
Feels °C | 26 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 23 | 27 | 29 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SW 13 | W 6 | WNW 9 | SW 13 | WNW 9 | W 6 | NW 9 | SW 14 | W 5 | SW 14 | W 5 | W 4 | SW 13 | W 4 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | W 4 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 16 |
| kJ | 96 | 44 | 39 | 113 | 26 | 35 | 18 | 20 | 99 | 11 | 31 | 21 | 6 | 44 | 9 | 43 | 143 | 9 | 75 | 65 | 125 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 18 | WNW 9 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | NW 9 | SSW 12 | WNW 8 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 5 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 17 | S 18 | WNW 6 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 47 | 49 | 47 | 44 | 41 | 37 | 21 | 29 | 14 | 51 | 6 | 56 | 46 | 4 | 44 | 94 | 42 | 75 | 97 | 14 | 98 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | S 12 | SW 13 | WSW 16 | S 11 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | W 16 | WNW 8 | SSW 11 | WNW 8 | S 12 | WNW 9 | SSW 18 | WNW 8 | W 5 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 16 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 16 | 11 | 44 | 26 | 9 | 40 | 28 | 34 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 8 | 63 | 14 | 2 | 42 | 22 | 46 | 21 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 9 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 9 | W 5 | WNW 9 | W 4 | W 5 | W 4 | W 4 | — | — | WNW 9 | WNW 4 | — | WNW 8 | — | SE 2 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 129 | 36 | — | 110 | 31 | 65 | 14 | 27 | 8 | 9 | — | — | 28 | 10 | — | 14 | — | 1 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 35 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 35 | 0 | 54 | 310 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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