Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, S swell with 372 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m 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 1.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. I’m lookin’ at Depressions, and I gotta be straight with you—this stretch is gonna test your patience. The water’s sitting at 69°, which is a solid 6° warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s pretty unusual. But the surf? It’s a long, quiet run.
From Thursday 20 August afternoon right through to the end of the month, it’s mostly poor or marginal. That first week, you’re looking at tiny swell—1ft to 3ft—with a mix of light onshore and cross-onshore winds, so it’s choppy and weak. The wave energy is low to moderate (205 to 464), but nothing’s lining up clean. A few glimpses come Monday 25 August afternoon with a 5ft WNW swell, but it’s short period at 6 seconds and the wind’s a moderate cross-onshore, so it’s messy. That’s more kite-surfing territory.
There’s a gap of a few days with no real standouts, but keep an eye on Thursday 27 August morning—there’s a 4ft WNW swell with a light onshore wind, but it’s still marginal. Then Friday 28 August morning has a similar vibe.
The real tease comes in the first week of September. Monday 31 August morning sees a 5ft WNW swell with 9-second period, and the energy’s getting stronger (538), but it’s still marginal. Tuesday 1 September afternoon has a 6ft WNW swell, period short at 6 seconds, with a light cross-onshore—again, marginal. Wednesday 2 September keeps up the same pattern.
Then, a glimmer—Thursday 3 September afternoon. The swell drops to 2ft but from the south with a 21-second period, and the wind goes glassy. That’s proper groundswell, long gaps between sets, but clean as. The wave energy is strong (472). That’s the best it gets, but it’s small and far out—still promising.
Friday 4 September morning and afternoon bring a 2ft south swell with 18-second period, cross-offshore wind from the ESE, and clean conditions. The energy is strong (641 and 553). That’s the standout if you’re after some clean lines, but it’s a long way off and the swell’s tiny.
Bottom line: Depressions is a flat spell for the first week, then a slow build into marginal waves, with a couple of clean, glassy days in early September that are small but promising. Don’t get your hopes up too high, but keep an eye on that Thursday 3 September afternoon and Friday 4 September.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 22°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 36°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | S 13 | WNW 6 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
79 | 59 | 58 | 57 | 56 | 109 | 71 | 89 | 79 | 112 | 109 | 98 | 135 | 132 | 166 | 153 | 225 | 192 | 281 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:37AM1.33m | 5:31PM1.81m | 8:55AM1.39m | 6:29PM1.88m | 9:13AM1.44m | 7:17PM1.97m | 9:31AM1.49m | 7:57PM2.04m | 9:50AM1.54m | 8:34PM2.09m | 10:09AM1.59m | 9:10PM2.11m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:43AM0.59m | 10:39AM1.31m | 1:34AM0.49m | 12:14PM1.30m | 2:13AM0.40m | 1:10PM1.24m | 2:46AM0.33m | 1:52PM1.16m | 3:15AM0.27m | 2:29PM1.07m | 3:42AM0.25m | 3:05PM0.98m | 4:07AM0.27m | ||||||
— | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 33 | 36 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 29 |
Feels °C | 25 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 25 | 30 | 31 | 26 | 30 | 33 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 7 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
79 | 18 | 58 | 57 | 35 | 41 | 36 | 79 | 57 | 112 | 109 | 98 | 135 | 132 | 55 | 153 | 225 | 166 | 281 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | SSW 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 13 |
46 | 59 | 40 | 23 | 32 | 14 | 71 | 33 | 79 | 65 | 37 | 29 | 55 | 54 | 91 | 89 | 124 | 122 | 30 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | WNW 11 | SW 18 | WSW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | SW 19 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | W 17 | W 16 | W 14 | S 16 | SW 15 |
2 | 40 | 48 | 30 | 56 | 44 | 26 | 89 | 16 | 15 | 41 | 36 | 10 | 11 | 22 | 43 | 66 | 81 | 33 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 |
27 | 21 | 28 | 53 | — | 109 | 62 | — | 55 | 44 | 36 | 88 | 74 | 115 | 166 | 134 | 108 | 192 | 119 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 76 | 1 | 1 | 149 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Barbara | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











