
Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period, WNW swell with 449 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s 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 Sunday (Jul 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s 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 2.2m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jul 10) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 5th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, it's Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Depressions over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you – it's a tough watch for a while.
We're looking at a long, dry spell to kick things off. From now, right through the first week and into the second, there's just nothing doing. For days on end, we're stuck with tiny, weak swell and poor surf conditions. The wave energy is weak, hanging around 200 to 300, and it's mostly coming from the SSW or WSW with fairly long periods, but the winds are just messy – onshore or cross-onshore, chopping it all up. The first hint of anything remotely rideable doesn't show up until Tuesday, July 14th. The morning is our first real glimmer of hope. A 3ft swell from the WNW with a short 8-second period rolls in, and the wind goes *light and cross-offshore* from the ESE, cleaning things right up for the first time. It's surfable, but very ordinary. The combined energy is only 239 (weak), so it's not gonna be any kind of classic session, but at least the lineup will look a bit more like a surf break.
After that, it gets messy again through the middle of the month. More onshore winds and poor conditions. The best bet on the entire 16-day outlook falls on Thursday morning, July 16th and Friday morning, July 17th. On the 16th morning, we get a 4ft WNW swell (9-second period) with light offshore WSW winds at 5 km/h (3 mph) – that's clean. The combined energy is moderate at 403, so it's got a bit more push. The 17th morning is similar: a 4ft WNW swell, light offshore SW winds, and energy climbing to 593 (moderate). For this spot, that's the standout. It's not huge, but it's the cleanest, most consistent energy we see all forecast.
Beyond that, Saturday morning, July 18th brings a cross-shore chop from the SE, but the afternoon cleans up with a light cross-offshore breeze. The swell is tiny again at 2ft from the SW, so don't get your hopes up. The period is a very long 19 seconds, so it'll be a super clean but very weak, straight wave at this beach-and-reef setup. More of a longboard and funshape vibe. The very last slot, Monday morning, July 20th, offers a 3ft WNW swell (10 seconds) with a light cross-onshore breeze, energy at 454 (moderate), but it's still just a marginal call.
So, to sum it up: the first week-plus is a write-off. Your window is July 16th and 17th for the best clean 4ft waves, and maybe a session on July 14th morning if you're desperate. Water temps are about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there. For a beginner, the swell never gets over 5ft, so it's all manageable, but the lack of quality for most of it won't help you learn much.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Sat 11 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
82 | 176 | 121 | 229 | 171 | 171 | 298 | 319 | 356 | 276 | 343 | 338 | 238 | 265 | 343 | 238 | 173 | 123 | 167 | 172 | 118 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | on |
High Tide | 00:44AM1.72m | 2:54PM1.63m | 1:36AM1.55m | 3:28PM1.73m | 2:52AM1.37m | 4:07PM1.84m | 4:39AM1.25m | 4:52PM1.97m | 6:32AM1.23m | 5:42PM2.10m | 8:00AM1.30m | 6:35PM2.24m | 9:03AM1.38m | 7:29PM2.37m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:53AM0.53m | 8:24PM1.15m | 8:23AM0.65m | 9:50PM1.04m | 8:57AM0.78m | 11:15PM0.85m | 9:41AM0.91m | 00:27AM0.62m | 10:37AM1.03m | 1:26AM0.38m | 11:44AM1.10m | 2:19AM0.16m | 12:52PM1.13m | ||||||||
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | |
8:15 | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 29 | 23 | 28 | 30 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 23 | 26 |
Feels °C | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 20 | 26 | 28 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
82 | 176 | 121 | 229 | 171 | 171 | 223 | 319 | 356 | 276 | 343 | 232 | 237 | 265 | 169 | 238 | 173 | 103 | 79 | 55 | 53 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | S 18 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | S 19 | S 19 | WNW 6 | SSW 16 | S 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
15 | 58 | 58 | 91 | 153 | 154 | 298 | 103 | 84 | 54 | 66 | 66 | 94 | 173 | 46 | 121 | 116 | 123 | 167 | 172 | 118 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | S 9 | S 9 | WNW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | NW 12 | WNW 12 | S 10 | WNW 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 16 | S 17 | SE 10 | S 16 | S 15 | ESE 4 | S 18 | S 10 | S 16 |
35 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 28 | 28 | 37 | 27 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 175 | 91 | 4 | 79 | 72 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 21 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 4 | W 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SE 3 | — | — | — | — |
4 | 9 | 26 | 57 | 37 | 91 | 131 | 102 | 245 | 220 | 238 | 338 | 238 | — | 343 | 211 | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 310 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 1 | 1 | 76 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 53 | 53 | 3 | 3 | 192 |
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.











