Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 04 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
14.6° C
0.1° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, NW swell with 587 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period with SW 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 1.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 13s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 5th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 14s
Best Surf 8PM (Sun 9th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 9s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sun 9th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, it’s Rusty. I’ve been staring at this forecast for the next couple of weeks, and I’ve got to be honest with you – it’s a frustrating stretch ahead. The conditions are mostly poor, with only a few windows where things might just come together for a paddle. The standout spot to watch here is Indicators, a tricky advanced point break that needs a specific WNW swell to really fire. It’s fairly consistent, but it’s sheltered and picks up a lot of wind, so we need everything to line up.

Let’s start with the early days. Wednesday, August 5th, is a washout – tiny 1ft SW swell at 14 seconds, but with cross-on winds, it’s just poor. Thursday stays flat with onshore wind. Friday the 7th sees a jump in period to 19 seconds, but the swell is still only 1–2ft and the wind is messy. The energy is weak all week, ranging from 142 to 246 (combined swell energy), which is barely a ripple.

The first real glimmer comes on Saturday, August 8th, morning. The swell bumps up to 2ft from the SSW with a period of 18 seconds, and the energy climbs to 409 (moderate). The wind is still onshore, but the forecast calls it “marginal” – not great, but maybe a sneaky session for the dedicated. The water temp is about average for this time of year. Sunday the 9th morning sees a shift: 4ft from the WNW at 10 seconds, with energy at 579 (moderate). The wind is onshore, but that WNW direction is exactly what Indicators needs to work. This is the best on offer in the first week, but the period is short (10 seconds), so the waves will be a bit soft and fat. Still, for a point break, the long-period groundswell from the 15+ second swells earlier in the week are better suited to reefs and points, so this Sunday window might actually produce a few rideable lines.

The second week is a slow grind. From Monday, August 10th, through to Thursday, August 14th, the swell hovers around 4–5ft from the WNW, but the period drops to 8–9 seconds, and the wind is onshore or cross-on. The energy stays moderate (364–532), but the surf quality is consistently poor. It’s a blank run of days with no real recommendations. The weekend of August 16th offers a tiny lift: 3ft from the SSW at 16 seconds, with energy at 578 (moderate) on Saturday morning, but the wind is onshore. The period is long, which is good for wave shape, but it’s a beach break setup, and long-period SSW swells can break too straight on the sand. The water temp is about average.

The final few days, from Monday, August 18th, to Wednesday, August 20th, stay small (2–3ft) with mixed winds. The best chance might be Tuesday, August 18th, morning, with a slight air breeze and 3ft SSW swell at 15 seconds, energy at 425 (moderate). The wind is onshore, but it’s a light breeze, so it could be glassy enough for a few fun ones. But it’s marginal.

Standout session: If you’re going to pick one, make it Sunday, August 9th, morning at Indicators. The 4ft WNW swell, moderate energy (579), and the fact that the direction matches the optimum WNW for the break makes it worth a look. The wind is onshore, but it’s a light breeze, and the point break should handle it better than the beach. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best we’ve got. Crowds? This spot can be “often” busy, so expect company.

Otherwise, the shoreline is quiet. The water temp is about average for August. Keep your expectations low, and maybe the forecasts will change.

– Rusty

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
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
1
0
2
1
1
2
1
0
2
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
WNW
8
0.4
SW
14
0.4
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.5
SW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SSW
19
0.5
SSW
19
0.5
SSW
17
0.7
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
1.3
WNW
10
1.3
WNW
10
1.5
WNW
10
1.4
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
9
1.2
WNW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
96
72
72
95
84
84
80
139
210
159
318
232
291
284
325
386
348
287
237
Wind (km/h)
5
S
10
SSW
10
SW
0
SE
10
SW
10
SW
0
NNE
10
SW
10
SW
0
ENE
10
SW
10
SW
5
WNW
10
WSW
10
SW
0
NW
10
SW
10
SW
0
SSE
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
High Tide
3:51AM0.99m
3:50PM1.68m
5:58AM0.94m
4:42PM1.75m
8:27AM1.04m
5:42PM1.81m
9:30AM1.17m
6:48PM1.87m
10:10AM1.27m
7:53PM1.92m
10:46AM1.34m
8:53PM1.95m
Low Tide
9:45PM0.38m
8:31AM0.66m
11:01PM0.25m
9:18AM0.85m
00:16AM0.10m
10:49AM1.00m
1:23AM-0.06m
12:33PM1.05m
2:23AM-0.21m
1:50PM1.01m
3:15AM-0.32m
2:52PM0.91m
4:02AM-0.38m
part cloud
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>
6:16
6:16
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:12
8:10
8:09
8:08
8:07
8:06
8:05
 mm
Temp °C
15
19
20
16
21
22
17
21
22
17
21
23
17
21
22
17
18
20
16
Feels °C
14
18
19
16
20
21
17
20
21
17
20
23
17
20
21
18
17
19
16
  • Map Icons:
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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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