
Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, NW swell with 968 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 (Jul 12) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 2.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what we’ve got coming up over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, it’s a slow and frustrating start. The first good chance for a wave doesn't pop up until Tuesday the 14th of July, and even then, it's nothing to write home about. We’ve got a solid gap of a couple of days with no real recommendations before that, so don’t bother paddling out over the weekend.
Sunday the 12th and Monday the 13th are a write-off. Tiny swell, onshore wind, and poor conditions. You’re better off waxing your board at home.
Now, Tuesday the 14th of July finally gives us something to look at. The morning is still a dud, but by the afternoon, things line up a bit. We’re looking at clean surf with glassy conditions and a light offshore breeze. The swell comes from the WNW at about 4ft, with a short period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 386. This is really just a session for getting wet, but it’s the best we’ve seen so far. This is the one to aim for if you’re desperate.
Wednesday the 15th picks up a bit in size, with the morning seeing 5ft from the NW, but the wind is onshore and the conditions are just ordinary. The energy climbs to a moderate 644, but it won’t be pretty. Thursday the 16th morning sees a jump to 8ft from the NW, and the energy is strong at 1574. However, the wind is cross-onshore and it’s looking choppy. This is getting into the territory for experienced surfers only; beginners should sit this one out.
The standout of the whole period, and I mean the real gem, is Sunday the 19th of July. The morning is a dream. Glassy conditions, a light offshore breeze from the SW, and a clean 2ft swell from the SSW with a very long period of 17 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 423. That long period means it will be a proper groundswell, with real shape and power, best suited for a point break or reef. This is the one you wait for. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 60°F with a positive anomaly of 3°F, which is notable. This break (Indicators) is a sheltered point break, so it can handle a bit of direction, but the optimum is from the WNW. Even with the swell coming from the SSW, the quality and wind make this the clear winner. Just be aware crowds are likely.
After that, things get a bit messy again. There’s some size showing up on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of July, with the 26th morning seeing a solid 8ft from the NW and very strong energy of 1844. That’s a big, powerful swell, but the winds are onshore and the conditions are marginal. Another one just for the experienced crew.
The final few days into the 27th of July fade away into small swell with onshore winds again. Not much to get excited about.
So, to sum it up: hit Tuesday the 14th afternoon for a fun, clean little session, but the real standout is Sunday the 19th morning. That’s your window for the best shaped, cleanest waves of the entire outlook.
Stay stoked,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 9 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 17 | SSW 18 | W 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
229 | 233 | 229 | 187 | 184 | 175 | 157 | 183 | 255 | 314 | 343 | 910 | 842 | 508 | 531 | 368 | 262 | 190 | 309 | 214 | 174 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:09AM1.26m | 8:57PM2.01m | 11:51AM1.33m | 9:52PM2.02m | 12:31PM1.37m | 10:45PM1.98m | 1:10PM1.40m | 11:37PM1.87m | 1:48PM1.42m | 00:29AM1.70m | 2:25PM1.45m | 1:22AM1.49m | 3:02PM1.49m | 2:20AM1.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:47PM0.98m | 4:16AM-0.50m | 3:46PM0.93m | 5:03AM-0.54m | 4:42PM0.86m | 5:48AM-0.51m | 5:38PM0.79m | 6:32AM-0.41m | 6:37PM0.71m | 7:14AM-0.26m | 7:39PM0.64m | 7:55AM-0.06m | 8:46PM0.56m | ||||||||
5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 8:28 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 12 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 |
157 | 154 | 135 | 181 | 184 | 175 | 102 | 85 | 142 | 188 | 50 | 523 | 484 | 122 | 531 | 368 | 262 | 180 | 116 | 80 | 94 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 14 | SSW 13 | W 14 | W 14 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | W 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 19 | WNW 18 | W 17 | W 17 | W 16 | SW 17 | W 16 | W 16 |
229 | 233 | 229 | 187 | 15 | 127 | 36 | 37 | 152 | 63 | 55 | 125 | 125 | 120 | 110 | 149 | 151 | 190 | 309 | 183 | 174 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | S 18 | W 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | WNW 19 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SW 14 | SW 15 | W 16 | SSW 18 | SSE 14 |
61 | 25 | 19 | 51 | 37 | 96 | 58 | 81 | 61 | 79 | 44 | 28 | 123 | 14 | 76 | 145 | 74 | 104 | 186 | 214 | 68 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 154 | — | 157 | 183 | 255 | 314 | 343 | 910 | 842 | 508 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 144 | 0 | 104 | 345 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 37 | 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.










