Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 19s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with 705 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Indicators this week:
The surf forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 1.1m 16s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for this stretch. Gotta be honest with ya, the start is a bit of a flat, frustrating wait. We’ve got a long gap of nothing much from now through to about Wednesday the 26th of August. For nearly five days, the charts are showing waves but the quality just isn’t there for us – too much onshore or cross-offshore junk.
The first real flicker of hope comes on Wednesday morning, the 26th. Indicators picks up a tiny 2ft SSW groundswell, with a long 16-second period, and the wind goes glassy. That’s clean, but the combined energy is only moderate (295) so it’s not gonna be big. It’s surfable, and with offshore wind from the W at just 3 mph, it’ll be pretty as a picture, but you’ll need a longboard and some patience. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing crazy there.
We get another tease on Friday afternoon, the 28th. The swell is still only 2ft from the SSW, period 19 seconds, but the wind goes glassy again. The energy bumps up to a moderate 511. It’s small but clean, and with that long period, it might offer up a little more shape than you’d expect for the size.
Now, the standout. The real one to circle on your calendar is Saturday morning, the 29th of August. Indicators is a point break that’s fairly consistent but does get crowded often. This morning, we’ve got a 4ft SSW groundswell rolling in with an 18-second period – that’s proper long-period energy. The combined energy hits a strong 1144. Best part? Glassy conditions, with the wind swinging WSW at just 3 mph. That’s going to be clean, lined-up, and offering some proper shape. For a spot that’s sheltered and picks up WNW as its optimum direction, this SSW swell isn’t a perfect match, but the size, period, and glassy wind could still make it the pick of the fortnight.
Moving into the second week, things get more promising but less certain. Thursday afternoon, the 3rd of September, shows a 3ft SSW swell with a 19-second period and high energy (900), but the wind is onshore, killing it. The real long-range highlight to watch is Friday afternoon, the 4th of September. Indicators picks up a 6ft WNW swell, period 10 seconds, with glassy wind. Combined energy is a very strong 1192. That size – over 5ft – is getting into more serious territory, so it’s for experienced surfers. The WNW direction is exactly what this spot loves, and with glassy conditions, it could be excellent if it comes together. Keep an eye on it.
Saturday morning, the 5th of September, also looks promising with a 3ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and glassy wind again. Energy is strong at 1020. Another clean, fun-sized morning if you miss the Friday session.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off until the 26th, with small but clean waves. The real standout is Saturday morning the 29th of August. Second week, the 4th of September afternoon is the one to dream on. Stay patient, and keep your eye on that glassy wind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 17 | NW 7 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
99 | 111 | 184 | 144 | 86 | 157 | 155 | 147 | 190 | 181 | 130 | 124 | 169 | 122 | 106 | 204 | 196 | 313 | 338 | 292 | 490 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 9:57AM1.25m | 6:37PM1.55m | 10:24AM1.28m | 7:34PM1.58m | 10:46AM1.29m | 8:23PM1.62m | 11:04AM1.28m | 9:08PM1.62m | 11:20AM1.29m | 9:49PM1.61m | 11:36AM1.32m | 10:29PM1.57m | 11:54AM1.36m | 11:10PM1.51m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:24PM1.09m | 2:29AM0.11m | 2:15PM1.02m | 3:08AM0.03m | 2:56PM0.94m | 3:42AM-0.03m | 3:32PM0.85m | 4:12AM-0.07m | 4:05PM0.75m | 4:38AM-0.07m | 4:37PM0.64m | 5:03AM-0.03m | 5:11PM0.53m | ||||||||
6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 25 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 20 |
Feels °C | 20 | 24 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SSW 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | S 13 | WNW 5 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | S 16 | WNW 8 | S 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 19 | WNW 9 |
99 | 65 | 111 | 104 | 51 | 87 | 69 | 150 | 51 | 181 | 87 | 15 | 169 | 122 | 600 | 117 | 268 | 187 | 171 | 292 | 316 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 13 | S 18 | WNW 7 | S 14 | SW 14 | S 12 | SSW 17 | S 11 | SSW 18 |
57 | 111 | 98 | 144 | 83 | 106 | 153 | 147 | 190 | 126 | 130 | 124 | 55 | 155 | 101 | 366 | 103 | 136 | 261 | 58 | 486 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 11 | S 13 | W 17 | W 16 | S 13 | SSW 12 | W 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | W 11 | SSW 15 | S 12 | SW 14 | S 10 |
61 | 2 | 50 | 94 | 84 | 157 | 155 | 9 | 92 | 23 | 45 | 85 | 48 | 55 | 106 | 104 | 39 | 142 | 95 | 91 | 33 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 7 | — | WNW 7 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | NW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 4 | — | NW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 |
12 | 67 | 184 | — | 86 | — | — | 93 | — | 37 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 38 | — | 204 | 196 | 313 | 338 | 232 | 490 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 323 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Cruz | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Indicators Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Indicators provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Indicators can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Indicators 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 (Indicators) 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 Indicators 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.
Indicators is 3 km (2 miles) from Santa Cruz. If you plan a vacation in Santa Cruz, look for hotels and other accommodation in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











