Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, SSW swell with 891 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 1.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 15s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on the table for this one. This is gonna be a tough one to love, I gotta be straight with you. For a point break that’s sheltered from the west-northwest, it’s getting nothing but a consistent south-southwest swell, and that direction just doesn’t wrap in here with any kind of power. You’re looking at a long, frustrating wait for something that even looks like a wave.
We kick off on Saturday the 29th, but let’s not kid ourselves. The swell is a tiny 3 ft at 2 seconds from the SSW, with a combined energy of 674 (moderate), but the wind is a cross-onshore from the west-northwest at 9 mph. That’s just messy – poor surf conditions, and it's an advanced-only spot which means you need some juice. Sunday the 30th is onshore and marginal, and it just doesn’t clean up. We’re stuck in a rut of small SSW swell and poor wind patterns for days. Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st are tiny and onshore. Honestly, the first week is a write-off for any decent ride.
There is one little window of hope, a morning that stands out. Wednesday morning the 2nd of September. The wind goes glassy – dead calm with a slight air – and the break gets tiny 2 ft of groundswell from the south-southwest, with a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is weak at 238. It’s “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” so if you’re desperate and you’ve got a log, you could have a glassy little session. But this is an advanced point break, so don't expect any power.
Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th bring a bit more size – 3 ft to 3 ft – and a surge in energy (825 on the Friday morning), but the cross-onshore winds return, ruining any potential. Saturday the 5th is another morning with onshore wind and marginal conditions.
The real highlight, if you can call it that, is the glassy spell at the end of the first week and into the second. Sunday afternoon the 6th of September is glassy, with 3 ft from the SSW at 14 seconds and 395 combined energy. Then Monday the 7th is glassy all day, with 3 ft and a period of 14 seconds, and energy at 274 in the morning. It’s tiny, but if there’s any bump at all, it will be clean. That’s your best chance for a longboard or a fun shape, but don't expect a barrel.
After that, it all fades. Tuesday the 8th drops to 1 ft and stays pathetic. The rest of the second week is barely surfable, with energy often under 400 and constant onshore or cross-onshore winds, or just tiny glassy slop. A few mornings like Thursday the 10th show 3 ft from the SSW at 17 seconds with 403 energy, but it’s always followed by afternoon chop.
For a sheltered point, this is a brutal run. The swell direction is all wrong, and the rare moments of glassy wind give you almost no size. There are no standouts. The only thing I can say is: if you have to paddle out, wait for a glassy morning like the 2nd, 6th, or 7th of September. Otherwise, you’re better off staying home.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
505 | 688 | 554 | 411 | 400 | 325 | 226 | 156 | 154 | 154 | 121 | 181 | 104 | 243 | 207 | 309 | 491 | 438 | 518 | 597 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 6:57AM1.08m | 4:13PM1.73m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:05AM1.05m | 11:55PM0.04m | |||||||
— | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 20 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
505 | 688 | 161 | 131 | 163 | 149 | 226 | 156 | 154 | 154 | 98 | 181 | 209 | 190 | 453 | 309 | 252 | 267 | 518 | 597 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | WNW 9 | S 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
6 | 6 | 554 | 411 | 400 | 325 | 66 | 42 | 21 | 65 | 62 | 57 | 104 | 243 | 43 | 83 | 491 | 438 | 183 | 156 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 14 | S 14 | W 10 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | S 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 19 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
6 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 33 | 8 | 81 | 72 | 81 | 121 | 58 | 35 | 32 | 207 | 50 | 92 | 120 | 107 | 109 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | — | WNW 8 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — |
169 | 178 | — | 213 | — | — | 105 | — | — | 32 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 316 | 0 | 0 | 150 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 104 | 5 | 0 | 37 | 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.











