Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 25 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
15.9° C
1.7° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 20s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 20s period, SSW swell with 932 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 20s 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 26) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 20s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s 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 1.1m 20s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 15s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sun 26th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 20s
Best Surf 5AM (Sun 26th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 20s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 26th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 20s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what the next couple of weeks are holding for us. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a couple of windows worth paddling out for.

We start off with a drawn-out, frustrating stretch. From Saturday the 25th of July right through to the end of the month, the swell is there but it’s just not cooperating. The energy is moderate to strong, with combined energy readings bouncing between 679 and 1356, but the winds are a letdown. Mornings look clean with light offshore breezes, but the afternoons get chopped up by cross-onshore winds, and the whole period is marred by marginal tide issues or poor surf conditions. The standout problem is that the swell direction is mostly SSW, which is the opposite of what this spot wants. It’s a sheltered point break that needs a WNW swell to really shine, so it’s no surprise these waves are messy and unrideable. The water temp is sitting at 61°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – a bit of extra comfort but not enough to save the surf.

The first real glimmer of hope shows up on Wednesday the 30th of July. Thursday morning the 30th sees a shift: a 6 ft NW swell rolls in, but with a short period of just 8 seconds. That’s windswell, not groundswell, so it’s going to be a bit lumpy and lack the punch of a proper long-period set. The wind is light offshore from the WSW, which is a bonus, but the overall quality is still only marginal. The combined energy is strong at 1204, but short-period swell on a sheltered point isn’t going to produce the clean lines we’re after. Still, the size is there for the experienced crew. For experts only, the 6 ft is a bit too much for beginners. By the afternoon, the swell drops to 5 ft and the energy falls off a cliff to 431. It’s just not worth it.

After that, we hit a real dead zone. From Friday the 31st of July, things go flat and stay that way for a long stretch. The swell drops to 2 ft, the winds are light but cross-onshore, and the scores are all zeros. This gap lasts well into the first week of August. There’s a tiny, fleeting moment on Saturday the 1st of August morning when the wind goes glassy and a 4 ft WNW swell shows up, but the period is only 8 seconds and the combined energy is a weak 208. It’s described as “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions” – you’d be better off waiting.

Sunday the 2nd of August brings a bit more size: 6 ft WNW swell, period up to 9 seconds, and moderate energy at 530. But again, the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s choppy. This is a beach-and-reef setup, and with that wind and swell, honestly, this looks more interesting for the kite surfers than the paddle crew. The same pattern holds for Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th: 5 ft to 4 ft WNW swell, but the conditions are poor.

The outlook fades out completely from Wednesday the 5th of August onward. Tiny swells of 1.0 ft to 2 ft, cross-onshore winds, and nothing but poor surf conditions. There’s a glassy moment on Saturday the 8th of August afternoon, but with a 1 ft SSW swell, it’s not even worth a longboard.

So, the honest truth? There are no clear standouts in this 16-day window. The best bet is that Thursday morning the 30th of July, but even that is a gamble with the short period and marginal quality. If you’re desperate for a paddle, you might get a couple of so-so waves on the glassy morning of the 1st of August, but don’t expect much. For a spot that’s fairly consistent, this is a rough run. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
2
0
1
1
0
3
1
1
3
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
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
1.9
NW
8
1.7
WNW
8
0.8
SSW
15
1.3
WNW
8
1.3
WNW
8
1.3
WNW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
718
578
790
782
566
491
785
876
580
751
877
619
604
604
475
522
390
302
243
202
197
Wind (km/h)
5
W
15
WNW
5
NNW
5
WSW
20
NW
5
NW
5
WSW
15
NW
5
NW
10
W
15
WNW
5
NNE
10
WSW
5
WSW
0
NNW
5
WSW
5
WSW
0
NNW
5
WSW
5
WSW
0
NW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
High Tide
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
12:58PM1.27m
11:17PM1.59m
1:17PM1.30m
11:56PM1.50m
Low Tide
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
5:41AM-0.16m
5:30PM0.83m
6:07AM-0.12m
6:06PM0.76m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
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>
6:07
6:07
6:09
6:09
6:09
6:11
6:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:21
8:20
8:19
8:17
8:16
8:16
8:15
 mm
Temp °C
20
26
20
20
26
21
19
25
20
20
24
20
19
22
18
20
22
17
20
23
17
Feels °C
20
23
18
20
23
19
18
23
18
19
23
19
19
22
19
20
21
17
19
23
17
  • 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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