Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
16.8°C
1.9° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, NW swell with 823 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sun 13th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf 2AM (Tue 15th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 9s
Most Powerful11PM (Mon 14th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s in store.

The next few days are a real bummer around Indicators – a sheltered, advanced point break that really needs a solid WNW swell. We’re looking at a dry spell through Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The swell that shows up is tiny and disorganized, with cross-onshore winds spoiling any chance of decent waves. Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th have some 5ft to 5ft WNW swell, but the period is short – around 9 seconds – and the wind keeps things lumpy or marginal. The wave energy is moderate, hitting between 449 and 494 on the 14th, but it’s just not worth paddling out.

Things stay pretty ordinary through the middle of the week. Wednesday and Thursday mornings have tiny 2ft SSW swell, but with a very long period – 16 to 19 seconds. For a point break, that long-period groundswell can be a bit too straight, and with the wind not cooperating, it’s a pass. The energy is still moderate, in the 390 to 450 range, but the quality is poor.

Now, here’s the light at the end of the tunnel, but you’ve got to be patient.

The real window opens up Monday, September 21st. That morning, we finally get glassy conditions with a 2ft SSW swell and a solid 17-second period. The wind is dead calm – totally clean – and the energy is building, hitting 550. This is the first time things actually look good. The waves will be small, but clean and lined up, perfect for a longboard.

If you can wait a little longer, Tuesday, September 22nd morning is another highlight. The swell picks up to 4ft from the WNW, still with glassy winds and a moderate 9-second period. The energy is strong at 544, and the surf forecast is good. This is likely the best session of the whole outlook. The size is manageable, but at 4ft, it’s still fine for most surfers. The point should handle this swell nicely.

After that, there’s a bit of a lull, but the morning of Friday, September 25th offers another glassy window with 4ft WNW swell and a 10-second period. The energy is strong at 521.

A final note: the morning of Monday, September 28th shows a promising 3ft WNW swell with a 13-second period and glassy conditions. The energy is the highest we see, at 612, but it’s two weeks away, so don’t bank on it just yet.

Overall, if you can hold out until the 21st or 22nd of September, you’ll be rewarded. Crowds at Indicators can be heavy, so get there early. The first week is a total washout. Don’t bother.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
1
1
3
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SW
13
1.9
NW
7
1.4
WNW
9
1.6
WNW
9
2.3
NW
9
1.4
WNW
9
1.2
WNW
8
1.2
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
9
1.1
WNW
9
1
WNW
8
0.6
SSW
16
0.4
SW
21
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
19
0.6
SSW
19
0.5
SW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
200
120
142
386
304
372
823
304
202
222
233
190
134
198
138
167
251
251
184
Wind (km/h)
10
NNW
10
WNW
30
NW
5
N
5
WSW
10
NW
5
N
5
SW
10
WSW
5
SSW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NNE
5
SW
10
WSW
5
NNE
5
WSW
10
W
5
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
00:23AM1.38m
12:30PM1.57m
1:16AM1.26m
12:56PM1.57m
2:16AM1.15m
1:24PM1.56m
3:35AM1.08m
1:57PM1.53m
6:37AM1.08m
2:40PM1.49m
8:30AM1.18m
3:35PM1.45m
Low Tide
6:01AM0.34m
6:44PM0.15m
6:33AM0.55m
7:29PM0.16m
7:04AM0.75m
8:19PM0.21m
7:34AM0.93m
9:17PM0.26m
8:04AM1.08m
10:29PM0.30m
10:31AM1.16m
11:45PM0.29m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:48
6:48
6:50
6:50
6:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:19
7:16
7:15
7:14
7:13
7:10
 mm
Temp °C
19
19
22
16
20
24
18
18
20
16
17
19
16
17
20
16
18
21
17
Feels °C
17
17
17
13
19
22
17
18
19
16
16
18
15
17
19
16
18
20
17
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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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