Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
15.5°C
0.5° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 597 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 17s period. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 13s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 3rd Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 17s
Best Surf 5AM (Fri 4th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 18s
Most Powerful11PM (Fri 4th Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

The next couple of weeks look pretty quiet for the most part, with a long stretch of only marginal, small surf on offer. The water is sitting at 60°F which is about normal for this time of year, so nothing weird there.

We start off on Wednesday, September 2nd, with a tiny 2 ft SW swell. The wind is a light cross-on from the south, and combined wave energy is weak at 254. It’s not really worth paddling out for. That feeling carries on for days. Through Thursday, Friday, and into the weekend, we’re stuck with small WSW to SSW swells, barely cracking 3 ft, with onshore winds and that combined energy mostly hanging around the 500-700 mark. It’s all marginal or poor. Right through to Monday, September 7th, the swell drops even further, down to 2 ft, and the energy tanks to 84. Just a blank run.

There’s a gap of a few days here where the surf is just too small and messy to get excited about. The wind stays onshore, and the swell direction is poor. You’re looking at days of nothing.

Now, we do get a bit of a pulse around the second week. On Monday, September 14th, we see a bump in size from the WNW, with 5 ft in the morning and 5 ft in the afternoon. The period is short, though, around 7-8 seconds, so it’s going to be a bit crumbly and disorganised, especially with the onshore wind. The combined energy jumps to 385-396, which is still moderate. Still not a standout.

The real highlight, the one you want to circle, is Wednesday, September 16th. The afternoon session looks glassy – a light west wind, 3 mph, and the swell is a solid 5 ft from the WNW. The period picks up to 10 seconds, giving it a bit more shape. The combined energy reads 623 (moderate), and the comment says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the best on offer. For a spot like Indicators, a sheltered point break that likes WNW swell, this is clean and lined up. The offshore direction is perfect for the break, and the glassy conditions will make it a dream. The swell is a bit much for beginners, but for intermediates and up, it’s a go.

The next morning, September 17th, still has a 4 ft WNW swell and light wind, but it’s not as clean. By the afternoon, the swell drops to 2 ft from the SW with a very long 21-second period, but the energy is high (678) and the wind is onshore again. That’s a tricky one – groundswell that long can be a bit wonky at a point, but you might get a few clean runners if you’re on the right bank.

Overall, the first week and a half are a write-off for any decent surf. The standouts are the glassy afternoon on September 16th, and to a lesser extent the morning of the 17th. Keep your eyes on that Wednesday.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
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
1
0
2
1
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
19
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
18
1
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
15
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.7
WNW
6
0.7
SSW
14
0.4
SW
18
1.1
WNW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
131
246
415
348
497
582
486
590
554
539
422
334
381
305
180
134
34
201
81
138
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
5
NE
5
SSW
15
WSW
10
NW
5
WSW
20
WNW
5
NNE
10
SW
15
W
0
NNE
5
SW
20
WNW
5
N
5
SW
10
W
5
WNW
5
WSW
20
WNW
5
NW
Wind State
on
glassy
cross-on
on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
2:19PM1.70m
4:27AM1.04m
3:09PM1.73m
6:57AM1.08m
4:13PM1.73m
8:23AM1.19m
5:26PM1.74m
9:03AM1.28m
6:42PM1.76m
9:36AM1.35m
7:51PM1.77m
10:09AM1.41m
8:53PM1.76m
Low Tide
9:15PM0.16m
7:56AM0.91m
10:34PM0.12m
9:05AM1.05m
11:55PM0.04m
11:23AM1.11m
1:07AM-0.05m
12:56PM1.02m
2:06AM-0.14m
2:02PM0.87m
2:56AM-0.20m
2:57PM0.69m
3:39AM-0.20m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:43
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:35
7:34
7:31
7:30
7:29
7:28
7:25
 mm
Temp °C
19
17
18
19
18
18
21
18
18
20
17
17
22
18
17
19
16
17
22
17
Feels °C
18
16
17
17
19
17
17
15
17
18
14
16
18
15
17
18
16
17
18
15
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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 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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