Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, NW swell with 931 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 2.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 14s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
Right, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. It’s not looking like a classic spell, but there are a few moments if you’re patient.
We’re looking at a bit of a slow start, with the first real window of surfable waves arriving on Monday morning, 13 July. It’s small, around 2 ft of SSW swell, but the wind is set to go glassy by Monday afternoon. That’s when it’ll be cleanest, even if the waves are ordinary. The water is sitting at 60°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
The standout of the whole period is shaping up to be Thursday morning, 16 July. That’s when we get a solid 8 ft NW swell coming through, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is strong, at 1497, so there’s plenty of push. The winds are offshore from the west, which is a major plus. This is definitely one for the experienced crew only – over 8 ft is expert territory. The break is a point, Indicators, and it’s sheltered from the NW swell, but the optimum swell direction is WNW. It’s a fairly consistent spot, though it can get crowded often. The wind will be light, so conditions should be clean.
There’s another worthwhile window on Wednesday morning, 15 July, with a 5 ft NW swell, but it’s shorter period at 8 seconds. The west wind is offshore, so it’ll be clean, but the energy is moderate (528). It’s a good option for those who don’t want the big stuff.
The second week drops off significantly. From Saturday, 18 July, through to the end of the period, we’re looking at a long stretch of poor conditions. The swell dips to 2 ft and below, with periods swinging from 17 to 21 seconds, but the wind is always onshore or cross-onshore. The combined energy stays low to moderate, mostly under 500. There’s a brief bump on Monday, 27 July, with 3 ft SSW swell and 18-second period, but the wind is a moderate 12 mph cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. Not worth the paddle.
Given the lack of consistent quality, this is a typical blank run for the area. It won’t stay poor forever, but right now, the only real standouts are the Wednesday and Thursday mornings of the first week.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 9 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 17 | SSW 18 | W 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 229 | 233 | 229 | 187 | 184 | 161 | 136 | 166 | 223 | 262 | 287 | 931 | 823 | 497 | 495 | 360 | 257 | 190 | 309 | 214 | 177 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:09AM1.26m | 8:57PM2.01m | 11:51AM1.33m | 9:52PM2.02m | 12:31PM1.37m | 10:45PM1.98m | 1:10PM1.40m | 11:37PM1.87m | 1:48PM1.42m | 00:29AM1.70m | 2:25PM1.45m | 1:22AM1.49m | 3:02PM1.49m | 2:20AM1.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:47PM0.98m | 4:16AM-0.50m | 3:46PM0.93m | 5:03AM-0.54m | 4:42PM0.86m | 5:48AM-0.51m | 5:38PM0.79m | 6:32AM-0.41m | 6:37PM0.71m | 7:14AM-0.26m | 7:39PM0.64m | 7:55AM-0.06m | 8:46PM0.56m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 12 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 157 | 154 | 157 | 186 | 154 | 161 | 136 | 85 | 142 | 149 | 50 | 535 | 426 | 122 | 495 | 360 | 257 | 172 | 119 | 92 | 86 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 19 | W 18 | W 17 | W 17 | W 16 | SW 17 | W 16 | W 16 |
| kJ | 229 | 233 | 229 | 187 | 184 | 127 | 102 | 37 | 152 | 79 | 55 | 125 | 125 | 120 | 167 | 149 | 151 | 190 | 309 | 183 | 177 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | S 18 | W 16 | SSW 16 | W 14 | SW 19 | W 14 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | WNW 19 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SW 14 | SW 15 | W 16 | SSW 18 | S 15 |
| kJ | 61 | 25 | 19 | 51 | 15 | 96 | 36 | 81 | 61 | 38 | 44 | 28 | 123 | 14 | 76 | 145 | 74 | 104 | 186 | 214 | 109 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 166 | 223 | 262 | 287 | 931 | 823 | 497 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 37 | 104 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 150 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Cruz | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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