Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SW swell with 312 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m 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 glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Depressions in the next 16 days are 0.7m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
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 the menu for Depressions over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the next few days are a write-off. The swell is tiny and the wind is all kinds of wrong. We're looking at a rough start with poor surf conditions right through to Wednesday the 26th. We're talking ankle-snappers with cross-onshore junk. Not worth paddling out for.
Things start to look a little more promising on Thursday the 27th. That morning, we get a window of *glassy* conditions, with the wind going totally light and variable. The swell bumps up a touch to 3ft from the SSE, and with an 11-second period, it's got a bit of shape. The combined energy is moderate (315). The water temp is sitting at a very unusual 70°, which is a few degrees warmer than normal for this time of year – you might not even need a spring suit. It's still small, but that clean morning session will be the most fun we've had in days. The afternoon gets a bit choppy again, so make the most of it.
After that, it gets frustrating. Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th see the swell jump up – with the combined swell energy hitting strong numbers (581 on Saturday morning) – but the wind is a messy cross-onshore or just onshore. That 5ft to 6ft of WNW windswell will be a bumpy, blown-out mess. No good for paddling; honestly, with that much wind and chop, it might be more of a kite session.
We get another quiet, glassy chance on Wednesday the 2nd of September. The morning and afternoon both show 3ft from the S with 12-second period and glassy wind. The report says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions," but honestly, with the wind off the water like that, it’ll be cleaner than anything else around. Not a standout, but a paddler's chance.
Now, if you want the real standout, circle Friday the 4th of September on your calendar. That morning is looking like the pick of the entire forecast. The wind goes glassy again, the swell is a clean 2ft from the SW with a solid 17-second period. That's proper long-period groundswell, and it'll wrap in with some shape. The combined energy is strong (483) for the size. For a break like Depressions – which is fairly exposed to the WSW – this is where the direction (WSW) and the quality align. It's small, so beginners won't be over their head, but that long period will mean clean, lined-up waves. Keep in mind it's over a week away, so treat it with cautious optimism, but right now, that's your session.
Overall, it's a patchy outlook with a lot of onshore wind, but that Thursday the 27th and especially Friday the 4th of September are your best bets for a glassy, fun paddle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 18 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | WNW 7 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
98 | 135 | 130 | 91 | 133 | 215 | 252 | 183 | 163 | 174 | 127 | 122 | 75 | 312 | 302 | 237 | 255 | 249 | 218 | 215 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 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 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 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 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 21 |
Feels °C | 29 | 26 | 29 | 32 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 5 | S 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
98 | 135 | 20 | 55 | 133 | 215 | 252 | 183 | 83 | 81 | 127 | 122 | 26 | 312 | 302 | 206 | 255 | 249 | 218 | 215 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 9 | SW 16 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 10 | SW 21 | SSE 12 |
29 | 55 | 130 | 91 | 89 | 54 | 38 | 34 | 163 | 174 | 82 | 45 | 68 | 152 | 91 | 127 | 124 | 2 | 17 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SSE 10 | S 13 | SSE 10 | WNW 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | W 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | W 20 | S 9 | S 9 |
16 | 10 | 55 | 10 | 16 | 124 | 118 | 32 | 54 | 73 | 65 | 95 | 33 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 |
10 | 32 | — | 17 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 75 | 124 | 281 | 237 | 201 | 212 | 192 | 119 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 76 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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.











