
Surf Forecasts:
Depressions surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, WNW swell with 395 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s 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 0.6m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m not gonna lie to ya—this stretch is a real mixed bag, and for a lot of it, you’re better off staying on the couch. The first real glimmer of something worthwhile doesn’t show up until late in the piece, so we gotta be patient.
We kick off on Sunday the 12th with tiny 2-foot swell from the SSW, period around 14 seconds. The morning has glassy conditions, and the water is sitting at 63°, which is about what you’d expect for this time of year. But it’s just too small and ordinary to get excited about—surfable but very ordinary. By the arvo, the wind swings cross-on and it’s pretty much a write-off.
Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are flat and forgettable. Swell drops right off on Tuesday morning to just 1 foot, and the combined energy is weak at 56. No point paddling out. The wind is onshore or cross-on, and the wave state is either unknown or choppy. This is a real lull.
Wednesday the 15th sees a change in direction—a pulse of WNW swell hits 4 feet in the morning, but the period is a short 8 seconds, and it climbs to 6 feet by the arvo with a junky 6-second period. The wind turns moderate cross-on from the WNW, making it choppy. The combined energy is moderate at 358, but the quality is poor. It’s more of a mess than a surf.
Thursday the 16th stays marginal, with 5-foot WNW swell and decent energy (427 in the morning, 466 in the arvo), but the wind is either on or cross-on, and the wave comment is “marginal.” It’s not worth the drive.
Friday the 17th is a shocking day—cross-shore winds and tiny 1-foot swell in the arvo, despite a very long period of 17 seconds. That long period means it’ll break straight at a beach break, and with no size, it’s a dud. Saturday the 18th stays poor, with a 2-foot morning and cross-on winds.
We roll through another week of the same story—small swell, poor to marginal conditions, and winds that are mostly on or cross-on. There’s a stretch from the 19th to the 21st where the swell is around 2 to 3 feet, but it’s just not enough. The water stays about average temp, but the quality is missing.
Now, here’s the standout. On Wednesday the 22nd, we finally get something clean. The morning has a light cross-offshore breeze from the ESE at 6 mph, and the swell is 3 feet from the SSE with a solid 15-second period. The combined energy is a strong 459, and the conditions are described as “clean.” This is the best morning on offer—small but clean, with that long-period groundswell giving the waves some shape. Just keep in mind, long period like that can be tricky at beach breaks; it might line up better on a bank. Crowds are possible at Depressions, so get there early.
Thursday the 23rd has a similar vibe: 4-foot swell from the S in the morning, period 14 seconds, energy hitting 653, and light cross-on wind. Still marginal according to the notes, but it’s the next best thing after the 22nd.
Friday the 24th through to Monday the 27th drifts back into poor or marginal territory, with the swell dropping to 2 feet by the end, so don’t hold your breath.
Overall, if you’re keen, circle Wednesday the 22nd morning. It’s not big, but it’s the cleanest wave you’ll see in this 16-day window. The rest of it? Mostly small and messy, with a lot of days where you’re just watching the horizon. Patience, mate.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 19 | WNW 17 | WNW 17 | SW 18 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
163 | 136 | 104 | 139 | 141 | 68 | 26 | 52 | 109 | 155 | 223 | 213 | 300 | 307 | 216 | 106 | 97 | 95 | 152 | 229 | 213 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:53AM1.46m | 8:23PM2.47m | 10:38AM1.52m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:54PM1.11m | 3:56AM-0.12m | 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 | ||||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | |
— | 8:13 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 25 | 26 | 23 |
Feels °C | 23 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 19 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 4 | W 4 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 |
163 | 136 | 104 | 139 | 141 | 7 | 5 | 52 | 109 | 155 | 93 | 213 | 300 | 307 | 216 | 106 | 84 | 43 | 121 | 229 | 213 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | S 15 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 13 | S 12 | NW 8 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | W 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 17 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 |
27 | 67 | 34 | 22 | 28 | 68 | 26 | 17 | 56 | 77 | 31 | 90 | 89 | 87 | 92 | 104 | 97 | 95 | 152 | 144 | 142 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | WNW 9 | S 16 | W 16 | SW 19 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SW 18 | WNW 14 | W 13 | S 12 | W 13 | WNW 20 | WNW 19 | WNW 19 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 17 | WNW 16 | SW 18 | WNW 8 |
25 | 16 | 45 | 19 | 59 | 21 | 20 | 49 | 41 | 32 | 11 | 14 | 38 | 72 | 69 | 94 | 54 | 77 | 146 | 116 | 22 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | W 5 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | ESE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | — | WNW 8 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 18 | 97 | — | 223 | 127 | — | — | 1 | 8 | 14 | 2 | — | 23 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 3 | 3 | 234 | 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.










