Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
15.6° C
1.6° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SSW swell with 952 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 26s period with SW 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 26s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m 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 1.0m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 13s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Fri 24th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 26s
Best Surf 8AM (Sat 25th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 21s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sat 25th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 21s

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


The Lowdown

Alright my friends, Rusty checking in. We're looking at the Indicators zone, and it's a bit of a slow burn. This is a proper point break, no messing about – it's for the advanced crew. It's sheltered, so you need the swell to be coming from the west-northwest to get it working.

The first week is pretty much a write-off. The swell is coming from the south-southwest, which is all wrong. The wave energy is moderate at best, with readings from around 279 to about 700 (combined energy) in the first few days. Conditions are poor, so don't bother.

The first real chance of something clean is on Friday morning, July 24th. There's a tiny 2ft (0.7m) swell, still from the south-southwest, but the period is a massive 24 seconds. That's a serious groundswell. And on top of that, the wind is glassy. Absolutely perfect. That long period might make it a bit straight on a beach, but for a point, it could be a fun, clean wave. The energy reading is 666 (combined energy) – solid enough. It's a bit of a one-off in a dull week.

After that Friday morning, it's back to marginal surf with light onshore winds. The energy builds up into the 1000s by the middle of the week, but it's all wrong-direction crap with wind chop.

If you want the best of this whole forecast, you wait until the 2nd of August. Sunday morning and afternoon are your windows. The swell finally swings around to the WNW, which is what this spot is all about. We get waves around 5ft (1.6m) with a 9-second period. Sunday afternoon looks particularly good with glassy wind conditions and a combined energy reading of 467. That's the highlight of the whole stretch.

Keep in mind, the crowds here are often hefty, so for that Sunday session, you won't be alone.

Water temp is about 60°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so you might be ok with a thinner wetsuit.

It's been a slow few weeks, but that Sunday, August 2nd, is the one to aim for. Take it easy out there.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
2
0
1
1
0
2
1
0
2
1
1
1
1
0
3
2
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
26
0.7
SSW
24
0.7
SSW
24
0.7
SSW
22
0.9
SSW
21
0.8
SSW
21
1
SSW
20
1
SSW
19
0.9
SSW
19
0.9
SSW
18
1.1
SSW
18
1.1
SSW
19
1
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
18
1.2
SSW
18
1.1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
229
213
263
487
487
412
718
578
790
716
566
491
785
876
530
751
877
619
604
597
475
Wind (km/h)
10
W
15
NW
10
NNW
5
W
15
WNW
5
NNW
5
W
10
NW
5
NNW
5
WSW
15
WNW
5
NNW
5
W
15
NW
5
NW
5
W
15
WNW
5
NW
10
WSW
10
W
5
NNW
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
9:21AM1.06m
6:24PM1.60m
10:17AM1.17m
7:13PM1.63m
10:57AM1.24m
8:00PM1.66m
11:30AM1.27m
8:44PM1.68m
11:58AM1.27m
9:25PM1.69m
12:20PM1.26m
10:03PM1.69m
12:40PM1.26m
10:40PM1.66m
Low Tide
12:22PM0.96m
2:15AM0.09m
1:30PM1.03m
3:00AM0.01m
2:26PM1.05m
3:39AM-0.06m
3:12PM1.03m
4:14AM-0.11m
3:50PM1.00m
4:46AM-0.15m
4:25PM0.95m
5:15AM-0.17m
4:57PM0.89m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
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>
6:05
6:05
6:07
6:07
6:09
6:09
6:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:22
8:21
8:21
8:20
8:19
8:17
8:16
 mm
Temp °C
20
25
20
20
26
20
21
25
20
22
27
22
21
25
22
19
25
21
19
23
19
Feels °C
20
23
19
19
23
19
21
24
19
22
25
21
20
23
20
19
23
19
19
22
18
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 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.

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