Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 582 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 1.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down in feet and the old-school numbers.
The first real chance to get wet looks like the morning of Saturday, August 15th, but it’s pretty thin. There’s a small 3ft SSW groundswell with a long 16-second period, but the wind is blowing straight onshore at 5 km/h, which is light but enough to mess up the face. The combined energy (547) is moderate, but it’s not working. The water is 61°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so not too bad.
From there, it’s a rough stretch. Saturday afternoon, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and through the middle of the week – poor surf or marginal at best. Onshore and cross-onshore winds, small swell. A long dry spell with no real action until late in the second week.
The one day that has me stoked is Friday morning, August 28th. That’s the one to chase. We’re looking at a solid 7ft swell from the NW with a 9-second period. The combined energy is a massive 1607 (very strong). The kicker here is the glassy wind – almost dead calm, just a slight air from the SSW. For an advanced spot like this, that’s gold. The break, Indicators, is a sheltered point that really likes a WNW swell, so this NW direction is right in the wheelhouse. At 7ft, that’s expert-only territory – way too big for beginners. Mark the calendar, but remember it’s 15 days out, so take it with a grain of salt.
Friday afternoon after that morning session drops right back to 3ft, so the window for the good stuff is tight.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | NW 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
212 | 242 | 188 | 184 | 249 | 512 | 493 | 525 | 469 | 362 | 334 | 334 | 242 | 239 | 256 | 366 | 289 | 242 | 259 | 369 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:32PM1.72m | 12:58PM1.49m | 00:22AM1.55m | 1:29PM1.52m | 1:14AM1.37m | 1:59PM1.54m | 2:12AM1.19m | 2:31PM1.55m | 3:25AM1.04m | 3:05PM1.55m | 5:30AM0.98m | 3:45PM1.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:30PM0.54m | 6:03AM-0.17m | 6:21PM0.45m | 6:39AM0.01m | 7:13PM0.39m | 7:14AM0.23m | 8:08PM0.37m | 7:49AM0.46m | 9:09PM0.35m | 8:26AM0.69m | 10:17PM0.34m | 9:12AM0.89m | 11:30PM0.31m | |||||||
— | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 24 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WNW 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WNW 8 |
125 | 100 | 64 | 140 | 214 | 512 | 493 | 525 | 469 | 362 | 334 | 334 | 242 | 134 | 256 | 366 | 161 | 242 | 259 | 215 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | S 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | W 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 14 | W 12 | SSW 15 |
212 | 242 | 188 | 184 | 249 | 10 | 17 | 85 | 78 | 8 | 68 | 35 | 25 | 239 | 39 | 16 | 163 | 64 | 78 | 201 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 20 | S 10 | WNW 7 | S 9 | S 11 | S 12 | S 10 | SSW 10 | S 11 | WNW 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | SW 9 | W 11 | SSW 17 | SW 21 | S 22 | WNW 13 |
20 | 18 | 127 | 17 | 42 | 6 | 10 | 24 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 24 | 9 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 95 | 17 | 9 | 135 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 7 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 10 | NW 6 | — | WNW 10 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 |
— | — | — | 61 | — | 25 | 116 | 47 | — | 75 | — | 78 | 85 | 205 | 99 | 202 | 289 | 204 | 240 | 369 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 181 | 345 | 0 | 104 | 5 | 0 | 104 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Cruz | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











