
Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SSW swell with 952 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 24s 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 (Jul 24) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 24s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s 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 1.0m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) 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 0.7m 13s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 24s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's see what we've got cookin' over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we're looking at a stretch of small, clean but pretty underwhelming surf. The only spot that's really on the radar is Indicators, a sheltered point break that needs a solid WNW swell to get going. The early part of the period is all about a long-period SSW groundswell, but that's coming from the wrong direction for this spot. That means we're looking at marginal conditions with small waves, mostly in the 2ft to 4ft range, through the end of July. The wind is often light and offshore in the mornings, which is a tease, but the swell is just too weak and from the wrong angle to make it worthwhile. The combined wave energy is moderate but it's not directed where we need it.
Honestly, the first week is a bit of a write-off for a proper session. You'll see a few mornings with clean, glassy conditions, but the waves will be small and lack punch. The best of this early, weak period will be Monday the 28th and Tuesday the 29th of July, with 4ft of SSW swell and light offshore winds, but it's still a marginal call expecting any real quality.
Now, hold on to your board shorts, because the story changes as we roll into August. There's a bigger, more promising swell on the horizon. On Friday the 31st of July, we see a new, short-period (8s) swell from the NW start to build, and it's much more aligned with what Indicators wants. The real standout, the one I'm circling on the calendar, is Wednesday morning, August 5th. This is the only time in the whole forecast period where we get a "good surf conditions" call. We're looking at a solid 7ft of NW swell, and the wind is forecast to be glassy – dead calm. That's the recipe for a clean, powerful session at this point break. The combined energy is moderate, but the conditions are perfect. Keep in mind, this is a tricky, advanced wave, and with a 7ft swell, it'll be pushing it for anyone but experienced surfers. The short period (8s) means it will be a bit more walled up and less of a long, grinding groundswell, but with that glassy wind, it should still be a ton of fun.
After that, it drops off again. The window of opportunity closes fast, and we're back to smaller, weaker WNW swell through the second week of August, with the energy fading out completely by the 8th. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a scrap for small, clean waves from the wrong direction. The one true standout is that Wednesday morning, August 5th. If you can get out there, that's the day. It's a bit of a long-range call, so keep an eye on it, but the signs are promising.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 26 | SSW 24 | SSW 24 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
263 | 487 | 487 | 412 | 718 | 578 | 790 | 782 | 566 | 491 | 917 | 876 | 530 | 877 | 877 | 619 | 604 | 597 | 475 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:17AM1.17m | 7:13PM1.63m | 10:57AM1.24m | 8:00PM1.66m | 11:30AM1.27m | 8:44PM1.68m | 11:58AM1.27m | 9:25PM1.69m | 12:20PM1.26m | 10:03PM1.69m | 12:40PM1.26m | 10:40PM1.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:15AM0.09m | 1:30PM1.03m | 3:00AM0.01m | 2:26PM1.05m | 3:39AM-0.06m | 3:12PM1.03m | 4:14AM-0.11m | 3:50PM1.00m | 4:46AM-0.15m | 4:25PM0.95m | 5:15AM-0.17m | 4:57PM0.89m | |||||||
— | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
8:22 | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 21 | 26 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 20 | 21 | 27 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 24 | SSW 24 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | WNW 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 |
156 | 487 | 487 | 412 | 718 | 578 | 790 | 782 | 566 | 491 | 917 | 876 | 213 | 877 | 877 | 264 | 220 | 597 | 245 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | S 10 | S 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 9 | SSW 16 |
78 | 154 | 125 | 103 | 96 | 58 | 56 | 46 | 46 | 40 | 23 | 55 | 530 | 2 | 178 | 619 | 604 | 3 | 475 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 26 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | SSW 22 | NW 11 | — | SW 12 | — | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 |
263 | 132 | 98 | 66 | 41 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 2 | 91 | 5 | — | 36 | — | 12 | 19 | 11 | 26 | 23 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | NW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 8 |
23 | 36 | 59 | 43 | 40 | 53 | 53 | 41 | 64 | 100 | 123 | 178 | 375 | 267 | 297 | 489 | 388 | 279 | 423 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 86 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.










