Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 1.2m 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 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 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 comin' our way.
We're lookin' at a drawn-out stretch of small, inconsistent surf with a lot of ordinary days in between. It's gonna be a waiting game for the most part, but there are a couple of tidy windows where things line up.
The first real nod goes to Indicators for Friday morning, August 28th. We've got a clean 3 ft of SSW groundswell hitting the bank, with a nice long 17-second period that'll bring some proper push. The wind is light offshore out of the ENE, so expect smooth, lined-up faces. The combined energy sits at a moderate 437, and with that offshore breeze, this is your best early call.
Then there's a bit of a lull with onshore winds and smaller swell through the weekend and into the start of the week. Keep your expectations low.
The next real highlight pops up on Saturday morning, September 5th. Indicators sees another glassy window with a light SSW breeze, near calm. There's 3 ft of long-period groundswell from the SSW with a 16-second pulse, and the combined energy is a solid 514. It's not a massive day, but with those clean conditions, it's a sneaky good one for a longboard or a fish.
Looking further ahead, Wednesday afternoon, September 9th and Thursday morning, September 10th both show glassy conditions at Indicators. The swell stays small at 3 ft, but that's all we're getting. The water temp is sitting at 62°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
Overall, the standout sessions are the two glassy mornings. Don't plan a road trip around it, but keep your board ready for those clean windows.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | NW 7 | 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 16 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 103 | 183 | 336 | 387 | 486 | 823 | 505 | 688 | 554 | 411 | 400 | 325 | 226 | 156 | 154 | 137 | 98 | 138 | 103 | 190 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | off | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | 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 | 4:37PM0.64m | 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 | — | — |
 | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 20 | 18 | 23 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 19 |
Feels °C | 24 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SSW 19 | WNW 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 |
| kJ | 89 | 99 | 101 | 387 | 78 | 823 | 505 | 274 | 170 | 159 | 163 | 149 | 113 | 156 | 154 | 137 | 98 | 134 | 178 | 117 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | WNW 8 | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SSE 11 | S 12 | WNW 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 |
| kJ | 103 | 183 | 336 | 91 | 486 | 149 | 6 | 688 | 554 | 411 | 400 | 325 | 226 | 43 | 29 | 24 | 72 | 59 | 103 | 190 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | — | S 9 | S 9 | S 15 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SW 18 | WNW 7 | SW 17 | SW 12 | S 11 |
| kJ | 38 | 96 | 58 | 31 | 27 | 15 | — | 6 | 2 | 5 | 49 | 48 | 67 | 51 | 47 | 50 | 20 | 138 | 37 | 59 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NW 7 | — | WNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | NW 7 | — | NW 4 | NW 5 |
| kJ | 100 | 153 | — | 138 | 173 | 236 | 193 | 378 | 298 | 264 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 39 | — | 22 | 11 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 313 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 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.
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