
Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, SSW swell with 778 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s 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 (Aug 09) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 1.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) 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 0.5m 13s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, it's Rusty here. Tough one today, folks. Lookin' over the next 16 days for the break at Indicators, and we're in a bit of a flat spell to start with.
Honestly, the first week and a half is pretty grim. For the first part of the run, from this Sunday the 9th right through to about the Friday the 14th, there's just nothin' worth paddlin' out for. Bummin' around 2ft to 4ft but the wind's just all wrong with cross-onshore slop and poor surf conditions. We've got a massive gap here with no real recommendations.
The only flicker of a chance comes in on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th, but even then it's a real struggle. On Sunday morning the 16th, we'll see the swell bump up a tad to 4ft from the SSW with a period around 14 seconds. The combined energy is up at 685 (moderate), but the issue is the wind. Sunday afternoon it swings onshore with a gentle breeze and the surf quality just tanks. On the Saturday the 15th, there's a 3ft SSW swell with a long period of 16 seconds, and on Sunday morning it's 3ft with a similar period. The water's about average for the time of year, nothin' out of the ordinary. Indicators is a sheltered point that really needs the wind to behave, and with that cross-onshore airflow, it's just not gonna clean up proper. The best window is probably Saturday the 15th with a 3ft SSW swell when the wind goes light onshore - the combined energy hits 685, which is moderate. But honestly, it's marginal at best and the tide'll be a factor.
Then it’s another dry spell. From Monday the 17th to Saturday the 22nd, we're back to poor conditions and low-quality 2ft to 4ft mix. Not worth gettin’ wet for.
If I'm callin' a standout - and I'm reachin' here - it's Sunday the 16th morning. We've got a 4ft SSW swell (combined energy 685) with a period of 14 seconds. The wind is light cross-onshore from the SW. Still, for a sheltered point like this, you’d be fighting the chop. It's an advanced spot, so that 4ft won't feel too big for the crew who know it, but the quality just won't be there.
Real talk: this is a serious dry spell. With only a couple of poor-to-marginal windows in the middle, it's a rough outlook. Keep the boards in the car, but don't hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 18 | WNW 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
291 | 272 | 284 | 292 | 299 | 203 | 144 | 203 | 161 | 273 | 161 | 175 | 226 | 164 | 160 | 209 | 214 | 184 | 356 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:10AM1.27m | 7:53PM1.92m | 10:46AM1.34m | 8:53PM1.95m | 11:21AM1.38m | 9:49PM1.93m | 11:54AM1.42m | 10:41PM1.85m | 12:27PM1.46m | 11:32PM1.72m | 12:58PM1.49m | 00:22AM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:23AM-0.21m | 1:50PM1.01m | 3:15AM-0.32m | 2:52PM0.91m | 4:02AM-0.38m | 3:47PM0.78m | 4:45AM-0.38m | 4:38PM0.65m | 5:25AM-0.30m | 5:30PM0.54m | 6:03AM-0.17m | 6:21PM0.45m | |||||||
— | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
8:07 | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
291 | 272 | 284 | 292 | 299 | 203 | 144 | 203 | 161 | 121 | 161 | 137 | 131 | 113 | 80 | 76 | 45 | 140 | 264 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | WNW 7 | SSW 18 |
50 | 259 | 169 | 167 | 160 | 143 | 101 | 56 | 116 | 273 | 119 | 175 | 226 | 164 | 160 | 209 | 138 | 43 | 356 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | WNW 7 |
82 | 36 | 13 | 24 | 24 | 98 | 96 | 93 | 124 | 25 | 28 | 98 | 11 | 21 | 41 | 37 | 214 | 184 | 31 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 3 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 104 | 313 | 0 | 104 | 76 | 0 | 76 | 76 | 0 | 37 | 150 | 26 | 41 | 125 | 17 | 26 | 79 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Cruz | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











