Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 22 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
16.7°C
2.0° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 19s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, NW swell with 853 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period with NW 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 (Aug 23) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s 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 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) 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 0.7m 13s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 7s
Best Surf11PM (Fri 28th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 19s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 30th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve got to be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat and quiet. The kind of stretch where you might want to double-check the wax on your board or just enjoy a beach walk. The first decent surf doesn’t show up until Friday, August 30th, and even then, it’s marginal. We’ve got a full week of nothing worthwhile before that. After that, the surf is patchy, and nothing really screams “go time” until we get into early September, but even then, it’s more about sneaking a session in rather than epic conditions.

The only spot that’s been flagged as a real option here is Indicators, a point break that’s for advanced surfers only and stays fairly consistent. It’s sheltered from the main swell, so it needs a more specific window to work. The swell direction it likes is from the WNW, and we get a few pulses in that direction, but the timing is tricky.

Let’s run through the days. From now through Thursday, August 29th, it’s all poor surf conditions. Tiny waves, onshore winds, and no energy to speak of. The combined wave energy is weak, reading between 207 and 324 (moderate), but it’s all messy. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild.

Now, Friday, August 28th, things start to stir. The first real sign of life is Friday afternoon with a glassy, clean wind condition and a 2ft swell from the SSW with a very long period of 19 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 648 (moderate). This is a groundswell, and that long period (over 15 seconds) means better shaped waves, but at a point break like Indicators, it could be a bit straight. Still, a glassy arvo after a week of nothing is worth a look. The rating is a 2/10, so keep expectations low.

Saturday, August 30th, has a 3.6ft SW swell in the morning, but onshore winds ruin it. Combined energy at 999 (moderate). The arvo has lighter energy at 768 (moderate) but cross-onshore winds. Not great.

Sunday, August 31st, the morning has 3.3ft SSW swell, onshore, 794 (moderate) energy. The arvo is a bit smaller, 3ft, still cross-onshore. The wind is light, but not offshore.

Monday, September 1st, we get a 5.2ft WNW swell in the morning with moderate energy (591) but cross-onshore winds. The arvo bumps up to 5.6ft WNW, but the wind jumps to 12 mph from the NW, making it choppy and poor. This is a beach break or point setup, and with that wind and size, it’s looking more like a kite day than a paddle day.

Tuesday, September 2nd, flat again. Tiny 1.6ft SSW swells, poor.

Wednesday, September 3rd, the morning has a 4.6ft WNW swell, but cross-onshore wind. The arvo shows a 5.6ft WNW swell with onshore wind, marginal at best, combined energy at 745 (moderate). Still, the wind is onshore, so it’s choppy.

Thursday, September 4th, is the first real standout on the horizon. The morning has a 2.6ft SSW swell with a very long period of 20 seconds, and the wind is light and onshore, but combined energy is 753 (moderate). The arvo is similar, 2.6ft, 19-second period, 720 (moderate) energy, still onshore. This is a groundswell, and the long period is good for the point break at Indicators, but the onshore wind will hold it back. The crowd factor at Indicators is “often,” so expect company.

Friday, September 5th, the morning has a 3.3ft SSW swell, 18-second period, combined energy jumps to 1234 (strong), and the wind is light and cross-onshore. The arvo is 3.6ft, 17-second period, 1149 (strong) energy, onshore. This is the biggest energy of the whole forecast

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
1
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
NW
7
0.5
SSW
16
0.4
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
17
0.6
SSW
17
0.6
SSW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
16
1.4
NW
7
0.5
SW
14
1.3
WNW
7
1.4
NW
7
0.8
SSW
17
1.5
WNW
8
0.9
SSW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
135
144
86
157
155
147
190
181
130
124
169
166
205
103
150
194
336
292
486
Wind (km/h)
5
NNW
5
WSW
10
SW
0
NE
5
SW
10
WSW
5
N
5
W
10
WNW
5
NNW
5
WSW
10
WNW
5
NNE
10
W
10
WNW
5
N
5
W
5
WNW
5
N
Wind State
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
glassy
glassy
High Tide
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
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
clear
part cloud
part cloud
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>
6:31
6:31
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:49
7:47
7:45
7:45
7:44
7:42
 mm
Temp °C
18
22
23
17
21
23
18
23
26
20
23
27
21
23
26
20
22
25
19
Feels °C
18
22
22
18
21
22
19
22
25
20
22
25
20
22
25
19
21
23
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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