Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 28 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
16.4°C
1.6° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 29 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, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 19s 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 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.4m 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 1.1m 13s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Fri 28th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 19s
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

G’day, I’m Rusty, and here’s how this stretch of coast is shaping up over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a window of swell early on, but it’s a mixed bag with winds that tend to junk it up. The standout is undoubtedly Friday morning, August 28. The Indicators break is a sheltered point, so it handles that long-period SSW groundswell from the optimum direction really well. The early session is glassy with a light N breeze at just 3 mph and 3 ft of 17-second swell. That’s a proper long-period groundswell, full of energy – the combined swell energy is 582 (moderate) – and with water temperature sitting at 62°, a touch warmer than normal for late August, it’s an inviting paddle. It’s an advanced wave and can get crowded often, but if you’re in the know, Friday morning is the call.

Saturday morning, August 29, sees a jump in size with 4 ft of SSW swell coming in at 18 seconds (combined energy a strong 1197) but the wind is onshore from the WSW at 6 mph. It’s still a groundswell, but the conditions are marginal and questionable for the tide – not the clean glass of Friday. Afternoon turns choppy, and Sunday both sessions have onshore wind, with 4 ft and 3 ft of swell but only moderate energy in the 700s, and the surf is rated poor.

From Monday, August 31, through the first week of September, the swell drops below 3 ft and the periods shorten. Winds are mostly cross-onshore or onshore, with speeds up to 12 mph. The combined swell energy falls into the weak-to-moderate range (183 to 497), and the comments are all “poor surf conditions”. There’s a four-day gap with nothing worth getting excited about.

We then get a glimmer on Saturday morning, September 5. The swell picks back up to 3 ft from the SSW at 16 seconds, and it’s glassy with a light WSW breeze at 3 mph (combined energy 725, moderate). Conditions here are good, but the crowds are still often an issue, and the afternoon turns to junk with a strong cross-onshore wind.

The second week offers nothing better. From Sunday, September 6, through to Saturday, September 12, the swell sits between 2 ft and 3 ft, mostly short to moderate periods, with the combined energy mostly in the weak-to-moderate range (269 to 523). Winds are onshore or cross-onshore, and the surf comments are almost entirely “poor” or “marginal”. Sizes stay under 3 ft for most of it, with the biggest push on Saturday, September 12, morning being 3 ft – not enough to overcome the messy winds and moderate energy (412). The crowd profile is still often present at this break. Overall, the best bet is that one smooth morning at the beginning.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
0
2
1
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
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
SSW
19
0.9
SSW
18
1.2
SSW
18
1
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1
SSW
15
1
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SSW
17
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
18
0.7
SSW
19
0.7
SSW
19
0.9
SSW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
387
486
823
505
688
554
411
400
325
226
156
154
154
96
184
141
204
319
305
486
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
5
NW
10
W
20
WNW
5
NNW
10
WSW
10
WSW
0
W
10
SSW
15
WSW
0
NNE
5
SSW
15
WSW
5
NNE
5
WSW
15
WNW
5
N
5
WSW
25
WNW
5
NNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-off
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
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
3:09PM1.73m
Low Tide
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
7:56AM0.91m
10:34PM0.12m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:37
6:37
6:37
6:39
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:42
7:40
7:38
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:34
 mm
Temp °C
25
20
19
24
18
17
19
15
17
18
16
17
20
18
19
23
20
19
23
18
Feels °C
24
19
18
20
15
16
18
15
16
16
15
16
18
16
18
20
18
18
20
16
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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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