Depressions Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° N 119.85° W

Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 21 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Depressions sea temperature is
20.4° C
3.0° 

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


Depressions surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, S swell with 447 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s 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 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2PM. 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 12s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Fri 21st Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 13s
Best Surf 8PM (Wed 26th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 2PM (Wed 26th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve had a good look at what’s coming for Depressions, and I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – the next week and a half is a bit of a tough watch. The first few days are basically a write-off. We’ve got tiny, weak swell and poor conditions, so don’t even bother waxing up until we get past the 26th of August. There’s a real gap here with nothing worth paddling out for.

The first sign of life comes on Wednesday afternoon, the 26th of August. The swell picks up a bit to 3ft from the S with a 14-second period, and the wave energy is moderate (743). Still, it’s only rated as marginal, so it’s not firing. The real standout, the one that’s got me a little excited, is the Saturday morning session on the 29th of August. We’ve got clean, glassy conditions, a 2ft swell from the SSW with a lovely long 17-second period, and the energy is strong (509). For a break like Depressions, that’s a rare combination. The water temp is a whopping 69°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – a solid 5°F warmer than average. The offshore wind is light from the SW, and with the long period, expect proper groundswell lines. The setup here is a beach, so that long period might make it a bit straight, but with glass, it’ll be clean. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Later in the forecast, around the 4th and 5th of September, the swell builds again. Friday morning the 4th sees a 3ft SSE swell with a 16-second period and strong energy (684), and the wind is light onshore from the SSW. Saturday morning the 5th pushes up to 4ft from the SSE, 14-second period, and very strong energy (826). The wind is light onshore again. These are promising, but they’re still in the marginal range, so don’t expect perfection. The swell is getting a bit bigger, but it’s not clean enough to be a proper standout. It’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it.

Overall, the best bet is that Saturday morning on the 29th of August. The rest is a waiting game with a few glimmers of hope. Stay patient.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 23°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 35°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
2
2
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
13
0.7
WNW
10
0.8
WNW
8
0.4
SSW
15
0.4
SW
19
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.5
SW
17
0.5
SW
16
1.5
WNW
6
0.5
SW
16
0.9
SSE
16
1
S
14
0.9
SSE
13
0.8
S
12
0.7
S
11
0.9
WNW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
58
57
104
87
71
89
79
112
109
98
135
132
136
124
400
423
286
184
123
109
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
0
NNW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NW
10
SW
15
WSW
5
NW
10
WSW
20
WNW
10
NNW
10
WSW
5
WSW
5
NE
10
S
5
SW
5
E
Wind State
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
cross-on
glassy
glassy
High Tide
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
10:30AM1.66m
9:45PM2.07m
Low Tide
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
3:43PM0.89m
4:32AM0.32m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:24
6:26
6:26
6:28
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:36
7:35
7:32
7:31
 mm
Temp °C
28
26
28
29
27
29
29
27
30
31
29
33
35
30
35
32
29
29
30
26
Feels °C
28
26
27
29
26
28
29
26
28
29
26
30
33
26
33
32
27
30
31
27
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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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