Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
15.4° C
1.5° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SSW swell with 871 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period with W 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 (Jul 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. 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 1.0m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sun 19th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 16s
Best Surf 5AM (Sun 19th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 16s
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 have a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we're in a bit of a holding pattern. The first week or so is looking pretty average, with poor surf conditions dominating through the end of July. The wave energy is mostly weak to moderate (574) early on, and it's not until we get into the final days of the month that we see some real potential.

For the first few days, from Saturday the 18th through to the 23rd, it's a real struggle. The swell is small, around 2ft to 3ft, and the wind is mostly onshore. There's a brief moment on Monday morning, the 20th, with a glassy 3ft SSW swell (364 energy), but it's only surfable, nothing to get excited about. Thursday afternoon the 23rd offers another glassy window with a 3ft SSW swell (281 energy), but again, it's just ordinary.

The real turning point looks to be Friday the 24th. The morning is still marginal, but the afternoon shapes up nicely. We get a 2ft swell from the SSW with a very long period of 24 seconds and glassy conditions. The combined energy is moderate (644). This is a groundswell, and that 24-second period is a monster. It'll be clean and the sets will be fat, but with that period, it'll be better at a point or reef than a beach break. The following Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the 25th and 26th, have similar conditions: glassy, 2ft to 3ft SSW swell with periods around 21 seconds, and moderate energy (786 and 838). These are proper standouts for the period.

The highlight of the whole outlook is Monday the 27th of July. The afternoon sees a 4ft SSW swell at 19 seconds, with glassy conditions and strong wave energy racking up to 1343. That's the best-looking session on the cards. The water temp is about 60°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

Now, for the advanced crew, the spot is Indicators, a point break. It's fairly consistent for an advanced wave, but it's sheltered and needs a WNW swell. The good news is the swell direction we're getting is predominantly SSW, so it may not be hitting it perfectly. That said, the quality of the swell and the glassy winds on the 27th could still make it work. Just be aware that crowds are often a factor there.

Towards the end of the month and into early August, the swell drops off and the period collapses. From the 31st of July onward, we're looking at short-period windswell from the WNW and NW, with periods of only 7 to 8 seconds and weak energy (122 to 353). The wind is onshore, so conditions are poor. This is a significant gap in quality surf from the 31st right through to the 2nd of August.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The standout windows are the afternoons of the 24th, 25th, and 26th of July, with the absolute best being the 27th of July. Get on it if you can.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
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
1
1
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
1
2
1
2
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
WNW
16
0.6
W
16
0.7
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
24
0.7
SSW
24
0.7
SSW
22
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
263
177
288
439
268
302
255
314
270
264
348
344
281
293
229
207
263
487
487
412
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
5
NNE
5
WSW
10
SW
0
SW
0
SSW
10
SW
5
NE
10
W
5
WSW
0
NNW
10
WSW
5
WNW
5
NNW
10
W
0
W
0
NW
10
WSW
5
W
5
NW
Wind State
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
glassy
High Tide
3:02PM1.49m
2:20AM1.26m
3:39PM1.52m
3:30AM1.06m
4:16PM1.55m
5:12AM0.93m
4:56PM1.57m
7:41AM0.94m
5:38PM1.58m
9:21AM1.06m
6:24PM1.60m
10:17AM1.17m
7:13PM1.63m
Low Tide
8:46PM0.56m
8:35AM0.17m
9:59PM0.48m
9:18AM0.41m
11:12PM0.39m
10:07AM0.63m
00:22AM0.28m
11:10AM0.83m
1:23AM0.18m
12:22PM0.96m
2:15AM0.09m
1:30PM1.03m
3:00AM0.01m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:05
6:05
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:24
8:24
8:23
8:23
8:22
8:22
8:21
 mm
Temp °C
19
16
18
20
16
17
19
17
21
23
18
22
24
20
23
25
18
21
23
18
Feels °C
18
16
17
19
16
18
18
18
20
22
19
20
22
20
22
24
18
20
22
18
  • Map Icons:
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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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