Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
16.2° C
2.5° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, NW swell with 619 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period with WNW 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s 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 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 13s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Wed 15th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Best Surf 8AM (Thu 16th Jul)7ft (2.1m) 8s
Most Powerful 2AM (Fri 17th Jul)7ft (2.1m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve got the outlook for this stretch of coast. Let’s just say, it’s a bit of a waiting game over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long run of small, mostly messy conditions before a glimmer of something interesting shows up way down the line. Let’s break it down.

First up on Wednesday the 15th, we’ve got a weak 4 ft WNW swell with a short period of 8 seconds, hitting the Indicators break. Water temp is sitting at a very unusual 61°, a full 5° warmer than normal for this time of year. The combined energy is weak (321), and with light onshore winds the surf is just poor. This one’s a no-go.

Thursday the 16th isn't any better. The swell bumps up a touch to 5 ft from the WNW, still short period, and by the afternoon the wind picks up to 12 mph from the WNW, making for choppy, cross-onshore junk. It’s a total write-off.

Friday the 17th morning shows a 6 ft NW swell, period still short at 8 seconds. Energy is moderate (959), but it’s still just a marginal call. Then things get weird – Friday afternoon drops to a 2 ft W swell, but that period jumps to 17 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, but it’s tiny and the wind is onshore. The energy is moderate (585) but the conditions are poor.

From Saturday the 18th all the way through to the end of July, we get stuck in a long, frustrating pattern. Swells stay between 2 ft and 4 ft, mostly from the SSW or SW, with periods mostly in the 14 to 17-second range. The combined energy fluctuates between weak and moderate (217 to 902). The wind is almost always onshore or lightly cross-onshore. You’ll see the odd “marginal” label on the mornings, but nothing’s getting a green light. There's a brief moment on Sunday the 19th morning with glassy conditions and a 2 ft SW swell, but at that size and period, you’re just bobbing around.

This is a long dry spell. We’re looking at about ten days of hardly any rideable surf here. It’s the kind of stretch where the forecasts can change, so don’t lose all hope, but right now it’s bleak.

The only thing that even gets a whisper of interest is way off in the distance. Look at the 25th and 26th of July – we start seeing some marginally better energy, with the combined swell energy climbing into the high 600s and 700s. The 27th of July morning has a 3 ft SSW swell with a 18-second period and energy at 798. That’s still small, but with that long period, a point break or a reef would give it a shape the beach breaks won’t. The wind is light and onshore. It’s still just a “marginal” call, though.

The 28th of July Tuesday morning has a 3 ft SSW swell, period 17 seconds, and energy at 722. Then the 29th of July Wednesday morning sees the same 3 ft, 16-second period, with energy at 688. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the SSW, which isn't ideal. The 30th of July Thursday keeps the 3 ft SSW swell going with 16-second period.

If I had to pick a standout – and it’s a weak one – I’d point to the Indicators break (advanced, fairly consistent, WNW optimum) on the morning of the 28th of July. That 3 ft, 17-second SSW groundswell with energy at 722 is the best-looking combination of size and period in the whole run, but the wind is still onshore. For a sheltered point like Indicators, that longer period is actually a good thing – they handle that better than a beach.

But honestly, nothing here is shouting “go time.” We’re in a holding pattern. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because this area tends not to stay flat for long.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
1
0
3
1
0
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
WNW
8
1.5
WNW
8
2
NW
8
1.6
WNW
8
1.7
WNW
8
2.1
NW
8
1.7
NW
8
1.3
WNW
8
0.6
W
16
0.7
SW
17
0.7
W
16
0.6
W
16
0.7
SW
17
0.8
SSW
17
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
142
278
527
323
372
619
390
215
190
309
248
177
298
386
271
302
314
322
322
275
318
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
10
WNW
5
N
10
W
20
WNW
5
NW
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
N
10
WSW
10
WSW
0
N
5
W
10
WSW
0
W
10
SW
10
WSW
0
NNW
10
W
10
WNW
5
NNW
Wind State
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
1:10PM1.40m
11:37PM1.87m
1:48PM1.42m
00:29AM1.70m
2:25PM1.45m
1:22AM1.49m
3:02PM1.49m
2:20AM1.26m
3:39PM1.52m
3:30AM1.06m
4:16PM1.55m
5:12AM0.93m
4:56PM1.57m
Low Tide
5:38PM0.79m
6:32AM-0.41m
6:37PM0.71m
7:14AM-0.26m
7:39PM0.64m
7:55AM-0.06m
8:46PM0.56m
8:35AM0.17m
9:59PM0.48m
9:18AM0.41m
11:12PM0.39m
10:07AM0.63m
00:22AM0.28m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:03
6:03
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:27
8:27
8:25
8:24
8:24
8:23
8:23
 mm
Temp °C
24
27
22
21
26
21
18
22
18
18
20
17
16
20
16
18
21
17
20
24
19
Feels °C
23
25
21
20
23
19
17
21
18
17
18
17
16
19
15
17
20
17
19
23
19
  • 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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