Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve got the outlook for this stretch of coast. Let’s just say, it’s a bit of a waiting game over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long run of small, mostly messy conditions before a glimmer of something interesting shows up way down the line. Let’s break it down.

First up on Wednesday the 15th, we’ve got a weak 4 ft WNW swell with a short period of 8 seconds, hitting the Indicators break. Water temp is sitting at a very unusual 61°, a full 5° warmer than normal for this time of year. The combined energy is weak (321), and with light onshore winds the surf is just poor. This one’s a no-go.

Thursday the 16th isn't any better. The swell bumps up a touch to 5 ft from the WNW, still short period, and by the afternoon the wind picks up to 12 mph from the WNW, making for choppy, cross-onshore junk. It’s a total write-off.

Friday the 17th morning shows a 6 ft NW swell, period still short at 8 seconds. Energy is moderate (959), but it’s still just a marginal call. Then things get weird – Friday afternoon drops to a 2 ft W swell, but that period jumps to 17 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, but it’s tiny and the wind is onshore. The energy is moderate (585) but the conditions are poor.

From Saturday the 18th all the way through to the end of July, we get stuck in a long, frustrating pattern. Swells stay between 2 ft and 4 ft, mostly from the SSW or SW, with periods mostly in the 14 to 17-second range. The combined energy fluctuates between weak and moderate (217 to 902). The wind is almost always onshore or lightly cross-onshore. You’ll see the odd “marginal” label on the mornings, but nothing’s getting a green light. There's a brief moment on Sunday the 19th morning with glassy conditions and a 2 ft SW swell, but at that size and period, you’re just bobbing around.

This is a long dry spell. We’re looking at about ten days of hardly any rideable surf here. It’s the kind of stretch where the forecasts can change, so don’t lose all hope, but right now it’s bleak.

The only thing that even gets a whisper of interest is way off in the distance. Look at the 25th and 26th of July – we start seeing some marginally better energy, with the combined swell energy climbing into the high 600s and 700s. The 27th of July morning has a 3 ft SSW swell with a 18-second period and energy at 798. That’s still small, but with that long period, a point break or a reef would give it a shape the beach breaks won’t. The wind is light and onshore. It’s still just a “marginal” call, though.

The 28th of July Tuesday morning has a 3 ft SSW swell, period 17 seconds, and energy at 722. Then the 29th of July Wednesday morning sees the same 3 ft, 16-second period, with energy at 688. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the SSW, which isn't ideal. The 30th of July Thursday keeps the 3 ft SSW swell going with 16-second period.

If I had to pick a standout – and it’s a weak one – I’d point to the Indicators break (advanced, fairly consistent, WNW optimum) on the morning of the 28th of July. That 3 ft, 17-second SSW groundswell with energy at 722 is the best-looking combination of size and period in the whole run, but the wind is still onshore. For a sheltered point like Indicators, that longer period is actually a good thing – they handle that better than a beach.

But honestly, nothing here is shouting “go time.” We’re in a holding pattern. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because this area tends not to stay flat for long.

Rusty.

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