Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 29 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
21.5°C
4.2° 

Depressions surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Depressions surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 512 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Mon 31st Aug)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 2nd Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 13s
Most Powerful 5PM (Fri 4th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Depressions over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Right, grab a coffee, 'cause I'm gonna be straight with you – the next 16 days at Depressions are a bit of a slow burn. The water is much warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 71°F... that's a decent 8°F above the usual, which is very unusual.

We're looking at a long stretch of onshore or cross-onshore winds and a lot of small, weak swell. The combined swell energy is a moderate 522 (kilojoules per metre squared – or just moderate energy, let's call it) on the first Saturday morning, but with a WSW swell direction, it doesn't quite line up with the optimum WSW direction for this spot. It's a mellow 2ft from the SW with a long 17-second period, but the onshore breeze is making it messy. Honestly, the first week is mostly a write-off for anything decent. There's a constant stream of poor surf conditions from the 29th of August right through to the 6th of September. The winds are just too messy, coming from the W, WNW, and WSW, keeping things choppy and crumbly. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3ft, and the combined energy is weak, dropping as low as 147 (weak energy) on Tuesday. It's a real struggle.

There is a glimmer of a shift on the 7th of September. The wind finally swings to the SE, going light and cross-shore, and the swell direction flips to a more promising WNW. It's still only 3ft to 4ft of swell, with a short 8-second period, but with light cross-shore winds, it might be the most ridable we've seen. The combined energy is moderate at 348 (moderate energy). It's not a standout, but for a beginner spot, this is your best bet in the whole run. The rest of the second week flatlines again, with a return to small, messy, onshore conditions. The swell does get a bit longer period from the SSW later on, but the wind never cleans up in a way that would make it fun.

The best day is the 7th of September. The morning is the pick, with a light cross-shore breeze and a modest 3ft swell from the WNW. It's not going to be epic, but it's the only time the conditions look set to offer a few clean, little waves for a beginner. The water is still warm, so it's worth a look if you're itching to get wet. Keep in mind the swell period is short, around 8 seconds, so it'll be a bit bumpy and won't have much push.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSE
12
0.5
S
11
0.5
S
11
0.4
SW
18
0.7
S
12
0.7
S
13
0.5
SW
18
0.6
SSW
15
0.5
SSW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SSW
17
1
SSW
16
0.7
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
261
255
314
218
183
134
105
75
68
59
84
151
158
152
152
184
246
325
512
261
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
15
NW
10
WSW
15
W
5
NW
5
SSW
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
SW
15
WSW
10
NNW
10
WSW
20
W
10
NNW
15
W
20
W
10
NNW
10
WSW
20
WNW
10
NW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
11:01PM1.86m
11:39AM1.87m
11:45PM1.70m
12:07PM1.93m
00:36AM1.51m
12:42PM1.96m
1:45AM1.33m
1:25PM1.97m
3:36AM1.21m
2:24PM1.96m
6:25AM1.24m
3:43PM1.97m
Low Tide
5:03PM0.74m
5:19AM0.53m
5:49PM0.69m
5:43AM0.68m
6:42PM0.65m
6:08AM0.82m
7:45PM0.63m
6:34AM0.97m
9:06PM0.60m
7:03AM1.11m
10:40PM0.53m
7:59AM1.23m
00:02AM0.40m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:30
6:31
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:29
7:28
7:27
7:24
7:23
7:22
7:21
 mm
Temp °C
31
25
26
27
22
23
24
20
24
25
21
25
27
21
26
27
21
26
28
22
Feels °C
30
22
25
26
19
23
23
20
22
23
19
22
23
17
23
24
18
24
25
20
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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