
Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, WNW swell with 452 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m 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 1.6m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk surf.
First thing you'll notice stepping in the water: it's a warm one, 70°F, which is a full 7°F warmer than normal for this time of year. That's a wild anomaly, so you can probably ditch the thick rubber.
Now, honestly, the next two weeks are a bit of a bummer at Depressions. There's a huge gap of nothingness. The first hint of anything worth looking at doesn't pop up until Wednesday, September 18th. Before that, it's all tiny surf, onshore junk, and "poor surf conditions" across the board.
Wednesday the 18th, the morning brings a 4ft swell from the WNW with a short period of 8 seconds, and a light offshore breeze from the WSW at 6 mph. The combined energy is moderate at 378. It's a marginal call—questionable tide and surf. The afternoon turns cross-onshore, so not much to write home about.
Your best window is the weekend of the 21st and 22nd. Saturday the 21st morning: a 4ft WNW swell, 9-second period, light offshore wind from the WSW at 6 mph, and energy climbing to 408. Still only a marginal call, but it's getting there.
Then, Sunday the 22nd morning is your best bet. The wind goes almost glassy—a light offshore from the SW at just 3 mph. The swell holds at 4ft from the WNW, and the combined energy hits a solid 554 (moderate). It's still a marginal forecast score, but with that wind, it should be the cleanest, most fun little waves on offer. It's a beginner-friendly beach break, so expect soft, shoulder-high lines. The swell direction isn't ideal for Depressions—it likes it from the WSW—so don't expect perfection, but for a long dry spell, it's your chance. Crowds are only "sometimes" here, and with the lacklustre forecast, you'll probably have it to yourself.
After that Sunday, the surf fades out again into small, long-period SW swell but with poor conditions. It's a real quiet period. If you're itching, make that Sunday the 22nd your target.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 35°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 19 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
94 | 138 | 195 | 295 | 261 | 251 | 196 | 146 | 171 | 117 | 109 | 329 | 206 | 187 | 322 | 193 | 126 | 103 | 120 | 90 | 81 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:36AM1.79m | 9:03PM2.19m | 10:04AM1.88m | 9:50PM2.10m | 10:33AM1.95m | 10:35PM1.96m | 11:01AM2.00m | 11:21PM1.79m | 11:30AM2.01m | 00:10AM1.60m | 11:59AM1.98m | 1:05AM1.43m | 12:31PM1.92m | 2:21AM1.29m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:00PM0.78m | 3:45AM0.19m | 3:47PM0.66m | 4:17AM0.32m | 4:32PM0.57m | 4:46AM0.47m | 5:18PM0.52m | 5:14AM0.65m | 6:05PM0.52m | 5:39AM0.83m | 6:55PM0.55m | 6:02AM0.99m | 7:53PM0.61m | ||||||||
6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 34 | 35 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 33 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | WNW 5 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 6 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | SW 17 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
41 | 138 | 195 | 37 | 261 | 251 | 31 | 146 | 171 | 117 | 102 | 96 | 46 | 45 | 322 | 193 | 107 | 103 | 120 | 90 | 81 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SW 17 | SW 9 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
94 | 25 | 13 | 295 | 20 | 14 | 196 | 51 | 42 | 102 | 59 | 29 | 58 | 58 | 44 | 48 | 15 | 75 | 65 | 62 | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 7 | W 18 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WSW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | WSW 11 | SW 19 | SW 13 | S 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 20 | SSW 12 |
56 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 11 | 5 | 24 | 12 | 9 | 35 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 56 | 27 | 1 | 15 | 14 | 69 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 7 | NW 5 | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — |
12 | 24 | 40 | — | 58 | 77 | 42 | 72 | 60 | — | 109 | 329 | 206 | 187 | 18 | — | 126 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 226 | 1 | 141 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 141 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 136 | 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.










