Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
17.9° C
1.4° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, WNW swell with 387 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period with SSW 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 3s 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 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Tue 14th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 13s
Best Surf 2AM (Wed 15th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 18s
Most Powerful 5AM (Thu 16th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get to it. This is Rusty here, bleary-eyed but hopeful.

Alright folks, looking ahead for Depressions, it’s a mixed bag. For the first week or so, it’s a bit of a desert out there, and that’s the honest truth. The surf energy is just not cooperating. We're looking at a long gap before anything worth paddling out for shows up.

We start on Monday the 13th with a tiny 2 ft swell from the SSW, period 13 seconds, but it’s cross-on and the combined energy is only 216 (that’s weak). The water temp is sitting at 64°, about a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s one plus. But the report says “poor surf conditions” and I’m not arguing. This pattern sticks around; Tuesday the 14th is even smaller with 1 ft to 1.0 ft and a choppy feel. Wednesday the 15th pushes up to 3 ft to 5 ft, but the period drops to 8 seconds and then a messy 6 seconds, making it short-period wind slop. Don’t bother.

Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th? “Marginal” at best. The swell is 5 ft on Thursday but the energy is still moderate (452 on the combined scale), and the wind is onshore. It’s just not clean. Friday morning is 3 ft and small. I’d wait.

The weekend of the 18th and 19th is more of the same – small swell in the 2 ft to 2 ft range, onshore winds, and combined energy bouncing between 327 and 514. The 19th afternoon hits 514, which is moderate energy, but the wind and poor quality ruin it. No go.

From the 20th to the 22nd, it’s all 2 ft to 2 ft stuff. Not worth the wax.

Now, here’s a flicker of hope. On Wednesday the 22nd afternoon, things start to turn. The wind goes glassy, the swell is 2 ft from the SSW with a period of 14 seconds, and we get a combined energy of 352 (moderate). The report says “expect good surf conditions.” Finally. That glassy wind is a major positive – it will be clean. Keep an eye on that.

But the real standout is Thursday the 23rd afternoon. This is the best on offer. We’ve got a 3 ft swell from the S, period 14 seconds, and total glass – the wind is from the WSW at 6 mph, flat calm. Combined energy jumps to 543, strong enough to get the bank working. This is the day to clear your calendar. The swell direction from the South is right in line with what we want at Depressions, and the light offshore will put a face on those waves. It’s not huge, but the quality will be there.

After that, Friday the 24th starts to fade a bit with a 4 ft swell but onshore wind, and it gets worse into the final weekend with building cross-onshore winds up to 15 mph. The swell sticks around at 3 ft to 2 ft but it’s choppy and messy. The combined energy stays high (572-562) but with the wind, it’s a mess. For beginners, the swell never goes over 5 ft in this run, so it’s never too big. But the conditions just aren’t there except for that golden Thursday.

Crowds at Depressions can pop up sometimes, so for that Thursday, expect a few others with the same idea.

To sum it up: the first week is a write-off. Then we wait for that glassy run on the afternoon of the 22nd and especially Thursday the 23rd afternoon. That’s your window. Get on it.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 22°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
1
1
2
1
0
1
1
1
2
1
0
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.3
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
1
WNW
8
1.5
WNW
6
1.6
WNW
8
1.4
WNW
9
1.4
WNW
9
1.2
WNW
8
0.4
WNW
18
0.4
WNW
17
0.4
WNW
17
0.6
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.5
WNW
16
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
141
68
44
49
109
123
177
361
287
275
217
112
97
96
194
155
142
186
238
130
166
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
0
WNW
10
SW
20
WSW
10
NNW
10
SW
15
WNW
10
NNW
10
WSW
5
WSW
5
NE
10
S
5
S
5
ESE
5
S
10
WSW
0
E
10
SW
15
WSW
5
NNE
10
SW
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
High Tide
9:15PM2.51m
11:20AM1.58m
10:06PM2.48m
12:03PM1.64m
10:56PM2.37m
12:45PM1.70m
11:46PM2.18m
1:27PM1.75m
00:38AM1.94m
2:10PM1.80m
1:34AM1.67m
2:53PM1.83m
2:44AM1.43m
Low Tide
2:53PM1.07m
4:42AM-0.16m
3:49PM1.03m
5:26AM-0.12m
4:46PM0.99m
6:08AM-0.01m
5:45PM0.97m
6:48AM0.15m
6:48PM0.96m
7:27AM0.35m
7:58PM0.95m
8:04AM0.57m
9:18PM0.91m
8:40AM0.77m
part cloud
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>
5:56
5:58
5:58
5:58
6:00
6:00
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:13
8:12
8:12
8:10
8:10
8:09
8:09
8:08
 mm
Temp °C
25
22
28
30
29
31
32
29
29
29
25
23
24
20
24
25
21
24
24
23
25
Feels °C
26
22
28
28
26
30
30
25
28
28
24
24
26
22
25
26
22
24
23
23
25
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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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