
Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, NW swell with 634 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with WNW 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 14s 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 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 12s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
Honestly, the first few days are a bit of a write‑off. From Tuesday the 14th right through to Saturday the 18th, there's nothing worth paddling out for – weak, short‑period junk and messy winds. You're better off waiting.
Then Sunday the 19th morning rolls in and things finally come together. The water is sitting at 60°, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – feels like a warm bath. We've got a glassy, clean 2ft SW groundswell pushing in with a lovely long 17‑second period. The combined energy is moderate (517), and for a point break like Indicators, that long period is going to wrap in nicely and give you proper lines. Offshore is ENE, which is ideal for this spot. Keep in mind it's an advanced wave and often crowded, but with that glassy morning you might get a few windows. This is easily the best session of the first week.
The rest of that week stays pretty ordinary – onshore winds, short period, just marginal stuff. Not worth chasing.
Now, looking further out to Friday the 24th afternoon – that's another standout. The swell has dropped to 2ft but it's coming from the SSW with a massive 24‑second period – that's seriously long period groundswell. Combined energy is moderate (533) and the wind goes glassy again. For a point break, that super‑long period will produce clean, groomed lines, though it might be a bit too straight for a beach break – Indicators is a point, so it's perfect. Water temp is still warm, and the crowds are likely, but the quality should be worth sharing the lineup. This one is promising but being 10 days out, keep an eye on the forecast.
Overall, the two windows to pencil in are Sunday the 19th morning and Friday the 24th afternoon. Everything else in between is not worth the drive.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SW 18 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | W 17 | W 16 | SW 17 | SSW 18 | W 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
102 | 106 | 204 | 142 | 260 | 527 | 331 | 394 | 634 | 439 | 215 | 190 | 309 | 214 | 177 | 284 | 439 | 271 | 258 | 318 | 318 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 3:39PM1.52m | 3:30AM1.06m | 4:16PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:35AM0.17m | 9:59PM0.48m | 9:18AM0.41m | 11:12PM0.39m | ||||||||
5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 8:28 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 25 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 19 |
Feels °C | 22 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SSW 12 | WNW 8 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 17 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
82 | 85 | 117 | 109 | 50 | 287 | 125 | 122 | 400 | 243 | 215 | 113 | 95 | 74 | 39 | 284 | 439 | 271 | 193 | 318 | 318 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 12 | W 13 | SW 16 | WNW 19 | WNW 19 | WNW 18 | W 17 | SW 14 | W 16 | SW 17 | SSW 18 | W 16 | WNW 10 | W 15 | WNW 9 | SW 16 | S 12 | S 11 |
102 | 37 | 152 | 38 | 55 | 125 | 123 | 120 | 110 | 151 | 74 | 190 | 309 | 214 | 177 | 61 | 163 | 50 | 258 | 134 | 83 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | W 13 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | W 12 | W 12 | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 15 | W 16 | W 16 | SW 16 | W 15 | S 11 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | NW 8 |
36 | 81 | 58 | 31 | 44 | 47 | 27 | 27 | 76 | 145 | 84 | 104 | 186 | 183 | 66 | 172 | 65 | 106 | 106 | 104 | 34 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 |
— | 106 | 204 | 142 | 260 | 527 | 331 | 394 | 634 | 439 | 188 | — | — | — | — | — | 71 | — | 27 | 61 | 80 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 104 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 175 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Cruz | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










