Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, WNW swell with 328 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 17s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Depressions in the next 16 days are 1.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 3s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get into it. The first bit of the forecast is a tough one for us here at Depressions. The surf is pretty much flat to start, with a tiny 1ft SW swell on Monday, but the wind is junk from the WSW, and the whole setup is just poor. We're looking at a string of days with nothing worth paddling out for. The water's a balmy 70°, which is a whopping 7° warmer than usual for this time of year – feels like a bath, but that doesn't help the waves.
We grind through the first week with nothing but marginal or poor conditions. The swell tries to pick up a little around Wednesday the 26th, with a 2ft SSE swell, but it's still not clean, and the energy is weak (328). By Friday the 28th, we get a bit of a bump from the WNW, but it's a short period (8 seconds) and the wind is messy. It's a real struggle.
The weekend of the 29th and 30th sees the swell energy climb – the combined energy hits 576 on Saturday afternoon – but it's a 6ft close-out windswell with a 6 second period, and the wind is howling cross-on from the west. That's not surfable; that's kite-surfing territory. The following week doesn't offer much redemption, with the same story of cross-on winds and ragged, short-period swell.
But hold on. There's a light at the end of the tunnel. On Sunday, September 6th, things finally turn. The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the SSW. The swell is small, 2ft, but it's a proper long-period groundswell (15 seconds) from the SSW. The combined energy is moderate (388), and the conditions are described as "good". This is the standout. It's a week and a half away, so it's a long-range call, but with those glassy conditions, Depressions will be clean and lined up. That's your window.
Then on Tuesday, September 8th, we get another solid look. The wind is a clean cross-off from the ESE, and the swell is a consistent 3ft S groundswell with a 13-second period. The energy is strong (583), and it's described as "clean". This is the best of the best on offer. It's the full package: decent size, excellent period, and perfect wind. It's a shame it's so far out, but that's the one to circle on the calendar.
So, the long and short of it: the first two weeks are a write-off. Don't get your hopes up. The real action, if the forecast holds, is on September 6th and especially September 8th. Pencil it in, but keep your fingers crossed.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
109 | 98 | 135 | 130 | 91 | 129 | 152 | 147 | 179 | 151 | 132 | 190 | 125 | 171 | 312 | 197 | 229 | 201 | 306 | 218 | 213 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:31AM1.49m | 7:57PM2.04m | 9:50AM1.54m | 8:34PM2.09m | 10:09AM1.59m | 9:10PM2.11m | 10:30AM1.66m | 9:45PM2.07m | 10:51AM1.73m | 10:22PM1.99m | 11:14AM1.81m | 11:01PM1.86m | 11:39AM1.87m | 11:45PM1.70m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:52PM1.16m | 3:15AM0.27m | 2:29PM1.07m | 3:42AM0.25m | 3:05PM0.98m | 4:07AM0.27m | 3:43PM0.89m | 4:32AM0.32m | 4:22PM0.81m | 4:56AM0.41m | 5:03PM0.74m | 5:19AM0.53m | 5:49PM0.69m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
— | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 33 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 22 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 32 | 27 | 31 | 33 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 5 | S 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 9 | SW 18 | WNW 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
11 | 98 | 135 | 20 | 55 | 129 | 152 | 65 | 39 | 83 | 83 | 190 | 125 | 42 | 312 | 143 | 206 | 201 | 228 | 218 | 213 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 12 | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 7 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | WNW 10 | S 18 | SSW 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 9 | SW 21 | SSW 14 |
109 | 29 | 55 | 130 | 91 | 89 | 54 | 147 | 179 | 151 | 132 | 82 | 48 | 35 | 152 | 197 | 127 | 124 | 6 | 17 | 183 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 14 | SSE 10 | S 13 | SSE 10 | W 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 10 | SW 16 | S 9 | S 17 | S 9 | S 9 | W 20 | S 9 | SSE 13 |
37 | 16 | 10 | 54 | 10 | 40 | 122 | 85 | 47 | 74 | 73 | 65 | 33 | 69 | 26 | 91 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 55 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | W 5 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | — | WNW 5 | — | — | — | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 |
13 | 15 | 32 | — | 33 | 64 | — | — | 61 | — | — | — | 64 | 171 | 119 | 53 | 229 | 166 | 306 | 195 | 97 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 63 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 35 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 1 | 1 | 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.











