Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, NW swell with 428 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period with WNW 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 1.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Truth is, the first few days are a write-off. We’ve got tiny, weak windswell slop and the wind is all over the shop – cross-on or onshore – making a mess of the surface. The wave energy is moderate at best, running between 259 and 384, but with a period of just 8 seconds, it’s choppy and gutless.
First real chance comes Thursday morning, September 17. The wind goes glassy – yes, dead calm. The swell is only 2 ft from the SSW, but with a 16-second period, this is proper long-period groundswell. The combined energy is solid at 404 – moderate. That long period will give you clean, drawn-out lines, especially on a point or reef. It’s small enough for beginners, but the quality will be there for everyone.
Then Saturday morning, September 19, is another gem. Glassy again, with 2 ft of SSW swell at an even longer 18 seconds. The energy climbs to 467. This is the best-looking session of the whole forecast – clean, glassy, and that long pulse means real push. Perfect for a point break. Sunday morning September 20 is also glassy with 2 ft from the SW at 18 seconds, energy at 465. Another solid option.
After that, it goes quiet and cross-onshore for about a week. Then, the morning of September 30 – a Wednesday, over a week away – shows 4 ft of WNW swell with a short 8-second period, but with glassy conditions. The energy is 452. It’s a short-period swell, so it’ll be a bit fat and crumbly, but on a glassy day it’s still a fun ride.
The two real standouts are the mornings of September 17 and 19. They’re not big, but the glass and the long period are a winning combo. The water temp is about average for the season, and because the spot is “rarely” crowded, you’ll have it quiet. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 21 | SSW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 657 | 234 | 181 | 149 | 202 | 168 | 128 | 198 | 138 | 167 | 251 | 251 | 184 | 211 | 319 | 252 | 319 | 330 | 309 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:16AM1.15m | 1:24PM1.56m | 3:35AM1.08m | 1:57PM1.53m | 6:37AM1.08m | 2:40PM1.49m | 8:30AM1.18m | 3:35PM1.45m | 8:55AM1.24m | 4:44PM1.43m | 9:16AM1.27m | 5:57PM1.42m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:04AM0.75m | 8:19PM0.21m | 7:34AM0.93m | 9:17PM0.26m | 8:04AM1.08m | 10:29PM0.30m | 10:31AM1.16m | 11:45PM0.29m | 12:10PM1.14m | 00:51AM0.23m | 1:12PM1.05m | 1:42AM0.17m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 24 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 16 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 19 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 372 | 234 | 181 | 149 | 202 | 161 | 100 | 90 | 138 | 61 | 44 | 251 | 73 | 70 | 319 | 252 | 319 | 330 | 261 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 21 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 107 | 127 | 64 | 94 | 144 | 168 | 128 | 198 | 117 | 167 | 120 | 116 | 184 | 211 | 58 | 53 | 29 | 49 | 309 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 20 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | SW 21 | WNW 11 | SW 21 | SSW 19 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 10 | S 10 | S 14 | SW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 23 | 23 | 14 | 75 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 116 | 12 | 113 | 251 | 19 | 101 | 68 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 6 | 29 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | WNW 5 | NW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | — |
| kJ | 657 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 90 | — | — | 33 | 131 | 118 | 59 | 96 | 117 | 183 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 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.
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