Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with 877 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 1.2m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 13s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
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’s coming down the pipe for this region. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but we’ve got a couple of windows that’ll get the stoke going.
The standout is the Indicators point break. It’s a sheltered spot that likes a WNW swell, and it’s a fairly consistent advanced wave. The trouble is, the swell direction we’re getting is mostly SSW, so it’s not lighting up the way it could. The best bet lands on Friday morning, August 28th. We’ve got a clean 3 ft swell from the SSW with a long 17-second period, which is a proper groundswell. The wind is off the E at just 3 mph, making it glassy. The combined energy is moderate at 420, and it’ll be a morning of clean, lined-up waves. Crowds are often around here, so expect company. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
The next morning, Saturday, August 29th, could be worth a look too. Early offshore wind from the WSW at 6 mph with a 4 ft SSW swell, period of 18 seconds, and strong energy at 968. The forecast is a bit marginal, but with clean offshore wind, it’s worth a paddle. It’s not too big, but the long period might make it a bit walled-off at the beach, so stick to the point.
After that, the surf gets messy. Sunday morning, August 30th, has a 4 ft SSW swell with a 16-second period and strong energy at 1030, but the wind is a light cross-on shore. It’s borderline, but the chop will spoil it.
Then we hit a rough patch. From Monday, August 31st, all the way through to Tuesday morning, September 8th, the surf is small and junk. Winds are all over the place, mostly cross-onshore or onshore, and the swell drops below 3 ft. The energy is weak, under 500 for most of it. It’s a long, frustrating 9-day gap. Not much to do but wax the board and hope.
Things start to perk up again on Wednesday morning, September 9th. The wind goes glassy—3 mph from the W—and a 3 ft SSW swell with a 18-second period rolls in. The energy is moderate at 466. It’s a clean, glassy morning. It won’t be big, but it’ll be smooth. That’s your second best window.
The final days, from Thursday, September 10th, to Saturday, September 12th, are marginal again. The swell sticks around 3 ft to 3 ft from the SSW, with periods dropping to 14-15 seconds. Winds are mostly light and onshore or cross-onshore, so the face will be a little bumpy. Not a write-off, but not a standout.
So, to sum it up: Friday the 28th is the pick of the fortnight, with Saturday the 29th morning a close second. The rest is a long dry spell until the 9th of September, which gives a clean but small morning. After that, it’s back to small and choppy.
Stay frothy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
183 | 336 | 387 | 486 | 823 | 505 | 733 | 554 | 411 | 400 | 325 | 226 | 156 | 154 | 137 | 66 | 137 | 127 | 207 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | off | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:29PM1.57m | 11:54AM1.36m | 11:10PM1.51m | 12:15PM1.43m | 11:54PM1.42m | 12:38PM1.51m | 00:42AM1.32m | 1:06PM1.58m | 1:38AM1.21m | 1:39PM1.66m | 2:48AM1.11m | 2:19PM1.70m | 4:27AM1.04m | ||||||
Low Tide | 5:03AM-0.03m | 5:11PM0.53m | 5:28AM0.06m | 5:47PM0.43m | 5:53AM0.19m | 6:27PM0.33m | 6:20AM0.35m | 7:14PM0.25m | 6:48AM0.54m | 8:09PM0.20m | 7:19AM0.73m | 9:15PM0.16m | |||||||
— | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 25 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 19 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SSW 19 | WNW 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 13 | S 13 |
81 | 84 | 387 | 99 | 823 | 505 | 226 | 170 | 155 | 135 | 153 | 92 | 45 | 154 | 137 | 75 | 139 | 127 | 219 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 10 | SW 16 | SSW 18 |
183 | 336 | 91 | 486 | 15 | 6 | 733 | 554 | 411 | 400 | 325 | 226 | 156 | 34 | 45 | 28 | 61 | 67 | 207 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | — | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 15 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSE 11 | WNW 9 |
96 | 58 | 31 | 27 | 15 | — | 6 | 6 | 2 | 18 | 83 | 69 | 78 | 46 | 23 | 66 | 137 | 38 | 54 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | — | WNW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — |
144 | — | 127 | 189 | 145 | 199 | 362 | 306 | 236 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 110 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Cruz | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











