Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 19s period, SSW swell with 424 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s 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 19s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 8PM. 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 15s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Indicators. This is a sheltered point break that needs a WNW swell, so it’s a picky spot. It’s been a quiet stretch, and that’s not unusual here – when it’s flat, it’s flat. The next 16 days? You’re gonna need to be patient.
The water’s warm, 62°, which is about 4° warmer than it should be – feels like a gift from the tropics.
We’re looking at a long dry spell. From Friday 21st August right through the morning of Tuesday 1st September, it’s mostly crummy. Wave heights are a paltry 1ft to 2ft, and the wind is blowing onshore or cross-onshore. The swell energy is weak, barely touching triple digits. There’s a marginal bump on the afternoon of Sunday 23rd – a 4ft WNW swell, but with a short 8-second period and onshore wind. Not worth suiting up.
The first real standout arrives on Wednesday morning, 2nd September. The wind goes glassy – dead flat. That’s the key. The swell is 4ft from the WNW, period is still a short 8 seconds, so it’s not going to be a classic, but it’ll be clean. The energy is moderate (477). For a picky spot like this, a glassy window is a gift.
The second standout is Thursday morning, 3rd September. Again, glassy conditions. The swell drops to 2ft, but it’s from the SSW with a very long 19-second period. That’s proper groundswell, and on a point, that long period can really make the most of a small wave. The energy is 402 – moderate. Grab a log or a mid-length.
After that, it’s back to marginal and cross-onshore breezes through the end of the forecast. The crowd level here is “often” busy, so those glassy mornings will have a few heads in the water.
Take it from me: the best windows are Wednesday 2nd September morning for the clean conditions, and Thursday 3rd September morning for the clean, long-period groundswell. The rest? Not worth your time.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | NW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | NW 7 | SW 15 | WNW 7 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
99 | 99 | 99 | 111 | 242 | 144 | 193 | 157 | 155 | 147 | 190 | 181 | 130 | 124 | 169 | 122 | 153 | 130 | 150 | 297 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 11:20AM1.29m | 9:49PM1.61m | 11:36AM1.32m | 10:29PM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 4:05PM0.75m | 4:38AM-0.07m | 4:37PM0.64m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 19 | 22 | 26 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | S 13 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | S 18 | S 15 | S 13 | S 13 | WNW 8 |
64 | 99 | 99 | 65 | 150 | 107 | 116 | 125 | 100 | 150 | 52 | 181 | 87 | 124 | 169 | 304 | 440 | 289 | 199 | 173 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | S 13 | SW 16 | S 13 | W 13 | SW 16 | WNW 7 | SW 15 | W 11 | S 12 |
99 | 60 | 57 | 111 | 98 | 144 | 51 | 106 | 153 | 147 | 190 | 126 | 130 | 84 | 87 | 122 | 105 | 104 | 39 | 97 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 11 | S 13 | W 17 | W 16 | W 15 | S 19 | W 13 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SW 14 | SSW 14 |
79 | 30 | 61 | 2 | 50 | 94 | 83 | 157 | 155 | 11 | 92 | 22 | 45 | 38 | 110 | 55 | 106 | 130 | 74 | 138 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 7 | — | WNW 8 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 6 | NW 5 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 |
32 | 8 | 17 | 67 | 242 | — | 193 | — | — | 98 | — | 32 | 26 | 13 | 27 | 70 | 153 | 91 | 150 | 297 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 0 | 121 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











