Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
16.3° C
1.7° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period, SSW swell with 270 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 8s 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 0.8m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 14s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Wed 19th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 15s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 19th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 15s
Most Powerful11PM (Wed 19th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what we’ve got on the table. It’s a pretty quiet stretch, so don’t expect to be charging hard every day. We’ve got a good window right at the start, then a long lull, and a possible comeback late in the month.

The first real action kicks off on Wednesday afternoon, August 19th. The swell is small but it’s a long-period groundswell rolling in from the SSW at 3ft, with a period of 15 seconds. That’s a lovely, clean energy. The wind is light and from the WSW, which is offshore for the main break we’re looking at, Indicators. This is a sheltered point break, so it cleans up nicely. The water is sitting at 61°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 504, but with that direction and period, it’s going to be a fun, glassy session for the advanced crew. The spot is fairly consistent, but it can get crowded often, so get out there early.

Right after that, the surf drops off hard. From Thursday morning, August 20th, all the way through to the end of the month, it’s a real flat spell. The swell is tiny, direction is hit or miss, and while the wind is often light, the conditions are just poor. There’s nothing to get excited about for a solid week and a half. It’s a long dry spell, typical for this sheltered spot when the swell windows don't align.

Now, the first real glimmer of hope comes on Monday morning, August 31st. We’ve got a SSW swell at 3ft, period 14 seconds, and the wind goes glassy from the WSW. That’s a magic moment. The combined energy is moderate at 542, and the conditions are expected to be good. This is the standout of the outlook. It’s small, but glassy and clean at Indicators. After that, the swell tries to push a bit bigger, but the wind gets messy. The afternoon of the 31st brings a 5ft WNW windswell with a short 8-second period, and a cross-onshore breeze, so it’s not the one.

Further out, on Tuesday morning, September 1st, we see a 5ft NW swell with that same short 8-second period. The wind is light offshore, but the score is marginal. It’s a bit of a gamble. The real hope for a bigger session is the morning of Saturday, August 29th, which shows a 4ft SSW swell, 18-second period, and a massive combined energy of 1207. But the wind is light offshore that morning, and the score is still only marginal. It’s a big, powerful groundswell, but it might be a bit tricky to handle at this point break. It’s one to watch, but don’t book the day off just yet.

Bottom line: Wednesday afternoon, August 19th, is a solid, clean, fun session. The glassy morning on Monday, August 31st, is the other true highlight. Everything else in between is a long, quiet wait.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.5
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
17
1.1
NW
7
1
WNW
8
1.3
WNW
8
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
17
0.6
SSW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
322
252
175
183
183
105
99
99
99
111
102
144
208
157
155
147
193
219
129
124
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
5
NW
10
W
5
W
5
NNW
10
W
10
W
5
N
5
W
10
WNW
5
NW
5
WSW
10
WSW
0
WSW
10
SW
10
WSW
0
W
10
SW
10
SW
0
ESE
Wind State
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
High Tide
3:45PM1.54m
8:24AM1.07m
4:35PM1.53m
9:22AM1.18m
5:34PM1.53m
9:57AM1.25m
6:37PM1.55m
10:24AM1.28m
7:34PM1.58m
10:46AM1.29m
8:23PM1.62m
11:04AM1.28m
9:08PM1.62m
Low Tide
11:30PM0.31m
10:39AM1.04m
00:41AM0.26m
12:15PM1.10m
1:40AM0.19m
1:24PM1.09m
2:29AM0.11m
2:15PM1.02m
3:08AM0.03m
2:56PM0.94m
3:42AM-0.03m
3:32PM0.85m
4:12AM-0.07m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:28
6:30
6:31
6:31
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:53
7:52
7:52
7:51
7:49
7:47
7:45
 mm
Temp °C
20
16
20
23
17
20
22
18
20
24
19
20
22
16
18
20
16
18
20
16
Feels °C
19
16
20
22
17
19
21
18
20
23
19
20
21
16
17
19
16
17
19
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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