Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (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 ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly 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 | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 18 | S 12 | S 13 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 261 | 255 | 314 | 218 | 183 | 134 | 105 | 75 | 68 | 59 | 84 | 151 | 158 | 152 | 152 | 184 | 246 | 325 | 512 | 261 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | 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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 261 | 255 | 314 | 218 | 183 | 134 | 85 | 75 | 61 | 59 | 84 | 151 | 158 | 144 | 101 | 184 | 117 | 325 | 512 | 261 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 16 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 13 | NW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 5 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | S 12 | SW 18 | SSW 11 | W 16 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 127 | 124 | 2 | 2 | 32 | 15 | 105 | 69 | 11 | 44 | 79 | 69 | 103 | 152 | 152 | 75 | 246 | 66 | 5 | 51 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | W 20 | W 12 | W 11 | SSE 14 | W 10 | W 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | — | W 12 | SSW 21 | SW 15 | S 19 | SW 12 | WNW 9 | S 16 |
| kJ | 6 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 41 | 8 | 8 | 68 | 31 | 16 | 10 | — | 11 | 42 | 75 | 111 | 39 | 9 | 45 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 229 | 172 | 238 | 172 | 70 | 24 | 38 | 22 | 11 | 26 | 21 | 25 | 64 | 61 | 36 | 112 | 52 | 27 | 122 | 125 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 76 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 310 | 0 | 1 | 310 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 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.
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