Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 16 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
16.7° C
2.1° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, NW swell with 475 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 16s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Mon 17th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 15s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 18th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Most Powerful11PM (Fri 21st Aug)6ft (1.9m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

Right then, let’s have a look at what we’ve got on the cards for this little patch of coast. The pick of the bunch is a protected point break that’s sheltered from a lot of the usual nonsense – it’s got a real dependable feel to it.

It kicks off on Sunday the 16th of August. The afternoon shows a bit of a pulse, with a 3ft SSW groundswell, and the water is sitting at 62° – that’s a good 4° warmer than usual for this time of year, which is genuinely noticeable. However, the wind is a light WSW, straight onshore, so it’s not sparkling. The combined swell energy (441) is moderate, but the conditions are marginal.

Monday the 17th stays similar but poor, with the same onshore breeze. Not one to get excited about.

Now, Tuesday the 18th of August is where the first real bright spot appears. The morning session is looking promising. Same 3ft SSW groundswell with a 15-second period, but the wind drops to a *glass* calm from the west. That’s clean. Glassy. The combined energy sits at 413 (moderate). This is the standout early window.

The next few days are a bit of a mixed bag. The swell stays around 3ft to 5ft through the week, changing direction to WNW and NW with a shorter period of 7 to 9 seconds. The wind stays light, but it’s often onshore or cross-onshore, so the surf quality takes a hit.

We hit a real lull around Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th. Swell drops back to a weak 2ft to 2ft from the SW, with the combined energy falling well below 300 (wind chop energy, really). Not worth paddling out for. That quiet spell stretches for several days, keeping things flat and disappointing right through to the end of the week.

However, pay attention to the end of the window. On Saturday the 29th of August, the morning shows a 3ft SSW groundswell building back up, with a combined energy of 636 (moderate to strong). The wind is light WSW and onshore, so it’s a bit lumpy.

But the real juicy one is Sunday the 30th of August. The morning session has a 3ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 703 – that’s the strongest energy in the entire 16-day span. The wind is light WSW and onshore again, so not perfect.

Then Monday the 31st of August morning steals the show. The swell drops a touch to 3ft, but the wind goes *glass* again. Glassy calm, light air from the WSW. The groundswell has a 14-second period. That’s your final shot at clean, lined-up waves. A true sleeper.

If you’re looking for the best, the Tuesday the 18th morning glass-off and the Monday the 31st morning glass-off are the only two times the stars truly align. The rest of the time, you’ll be fighting a bit of bump, especially given the point break here is a sheltered, advanced wave. It’s a bit too punchy for beginners when it gets over 5ft anyway, but most of the swell hangs around the 3ft mark, so it’s fine for anyone comfortable on a shorter board. Crowds are often, so expect company.

All in all, a week of waiting for two glassy windows.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
0
1
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)
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.4
SW
18
1.5
WNW
9
1.7
NW
8
1.4
NW
8
1.1
WNW
8
1
WNW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
334
334
334
236
256
366
163
305
322
256
156
183
183
105
324
381
248
165
128
Wind (km/h)
0
WNW
5
W
10
WSW
5
NE
5
WSW
10
W
5
WNW
5
WSW
5
WSW
5
NNW
5
WSW
5
W
5
NNW
10
W
5
WNW
5
NNW
10
WSW
10
WSW
0
NW
Wind State
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
glassy
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
High Tide
2:12AM1.19m
2:31PM1.55m
3:25AM1.04m
3:05PM1.55m
5:30AM0.98m
3:45PM1.54m
8:24AM1.07m
4:35PM1.53m
9:22AM1.18m
5:34PM1.53m
9:57AM1.25m
6:37PM1.55m
Low Tide
8:08PM0.37m
7:49AM0.46m
9:09PM0.35m
8:26AM0.69m
10:17PM0.34m
9:12AM0.89m
11:30PM0.31m
10:39AM1.04m
00:41AM0.26m
12:15PM1.10m
1:40AM0.19m
1:24PM1.09m
2:29AM0.11m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:26
6:28
6:28
6:28
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:57
7:55
7:53
7:52
7:52
7:51
 mm
Temp °C
15
18
21
16
19
22
18
20
22
18
21
23
18
21
23
19
21
24
18
Feels °C
16
19
20
16
19
21
19
20
21
19
21
22
18
20
22
19
20
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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