Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 612 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 12s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at the next stretch for Indicators. To be straight with you, it’s a pretty flat and quiet run for most of the next two weeks. The Finder’s showing nothing on offer for the first few days – a real blank start. The waves we do see later are small, mostly in the 2ft to 3ft range, and the winds are mostly cross-onshore or onshore, which keeps things lumpy. We’re not looking at any proper standouts; it’s more about grabbing a quick one if you’re desperate.
The first few days are a total write-off. Monday and Tuesday, we’ve got swell under 3ft, but the wind is on it from the west and southwest, making it messy. Wednesday is more of the same, with a touch of cross-on. There’s no real energy to get excited about.
Now, as we head into the first weekend of September, things get a little more interesting, but only just. Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th see the swell tick up to around 3ft from the SSW. The energy levels start to build, hitting a moderate 776 and 672 on those days. But the wind is the killer – onshore on Friday and cross-onshore Saturday, so it’ll be choppy. Not worth getting too worked up over.
Then we get a small window. On Sunday the 6th, the morning is looking glassy with a light Southwest breeze. The swell is 3ft at 15 seconds, from the SSW. It’s small, but that long-period groundswell will have a bit of push. The energy is moderate at 378. This is likely the best of the bunch for the whole run, but it’s still very ordinary. The morning of Monday the 7th is also glassy with 2ft of SSW swell, but it’s pretty weak. If you’ve got a log, these early mornings are your only real chance for a clean little wave. The break at Indicators is a point, fairly consistent, but it’s sheltered from the WNW. With this SSW swell, you’ll be looking at the south end of the break to pick up anything.
After that, we drift back into the doldrums. The second week is a lot of nothing. From the 8th through to the 15th, the swell drops off to between 1ft and 3ft. The winds are mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the surf is just poor. There’s a slight bump in energy on the 10th, with a moderate 743, but that’s wasted on a 3ft SSW swell and light, onshore wind. Not worth the paddle. The water temp is sitting at a pretty normal 60°, so it’s about average for this time of year.
Look, the honest truth is there’s no standout day here. The 6th and 7th are the only mornings where the ocean looks half-clean, but the waves are small. It’s a poor run for Indicators, but the spot is fairly consistent, so it tends not to stay this quiet for long. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it. But as it stands, don’t cancel your plans.
Stay salty,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
226 | 156 | 154 | 154 | 123 | 137 | 131 | 246 | 325 | 411 | 497 | 582 | 394 | 597 | 469 | 546 | 428 | 305 | 305 | 239 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | off |
High Tide | 1:38AM1.21m | 1:39PM1.66m | 2:48AM1.11m | 2:19PM1.70m | 4:27AM1.04m | 3:09PM1.73m | 6:57AM1.08m | 4:13PM1.73m | 8:23AM1.19m | 5:26PM1.74m | 9:03AM1.28m | 6:42PM1.76m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:14PM0.25m | 6:48AM0.54m | 8:09PM0.20m | 7:19AM0.73m | 9:15PM0.16m | 7:56AM0.91m | 10:34PM0.12m | 9:05AM1.05m | 11:55PM0.04m | 11:23AM1.11m | 1:07AM-0.05m | 12:56PM1.02m | 2:06AM-0.14m | |||||||
— | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 18 |
Feels °C | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SSW 19 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
226 | 156 | 154 | 154 | 96 | 93 | 131 | 146 | 325 | 111 | 175 | 582 | 394 | 597 | 469 | 546 | 428 | 305 | 305 | 239 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SSE 11 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | S 11 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | S 14 | S 14 |
66 | 42 | 19 | 41 | 123 | 137 | 103 | 64 | 125 | 411 | 497 | 194 | 99 | 160 | 76 | 68 | 84 | 73 | 136 | 184 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | S 13 | SSE 12 | SW 18 | SSE 11 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | SSW 17 | WNW 8 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 11 | WNW 5 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | S 14 | SW 10 | WNW 9 |
8 | 81 | 46 | 81 | 40 | 24 | 35 | 246 | 64 | 123 | 141 | 57 | 52 | 71 | 16 | 38 | 23 | 97 | 24 | 52 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | — | — | WNW 4 | — | — | WNW 9 | NW 4 |
81 | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 225 | — | — | 20 | — | — | 103 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 2 | 219 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 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.











