
Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, WNW swell with 386 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s period with SW 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s 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 1.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 8AM. 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 13s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next couple of weeks for you. Let's be straight up: this forecast is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of pretty marginal conditions, but there are a couple of windows that might get your hopes up.
Right off the bat, from Friday the 7th, we’ve got a tiny pulse of swell. It’s a long-period groundswell from the SSW, with a period of 19 seconds, but it’s only showing 2 feet. The combined swell energy is weak (321). The water’s running a warm 60°, which is a bit above average for this time of year, so that’s a nice thought. But the surf is poor, and the wind is on it. Not worth rushing out.
The real story starts to build around Sunday the 9th. The swell direction finally swings around to the WNW, which is what the local point break `Indicators` wants. It’s a sheltered, advanced-level point break that’s fairly consistent. The swell jumps to 5 feet, with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy becomes moderate (644). The wind is a light cross-onshore, so there’s some texture, but it’s not blown out. This is the best bet of the whole period. The morning of Sunday the 9th is the standout. The break is known to be a bit of a local’s zone, so expect crowds there often. This is where the swell size and direction align, and the light wind keeps it rideable. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only real window with some push.
From Monday the 10th onward, the wave energy drops back, and the winds stay mostly on or cross-onshore. The swell sticks around the 3 to 4 foot range, but the period is short, around 9 seconds. The energy is moderate but the quality is poor. It’s a lot of small, weak surf with wind on it. Saturday the 15th shows a bit of a bump in energy (568) from the SSW, but the wind is on it again, and the swell is only 3 feet. It’s the same story all the way through to the end of the forecast on the 22nd. There’s a very small window on Wednesday the 19th morning with a slight air wind from the WSW and 3 foot SSW swell, but it’s still marginal.
The bottom line is that Sunday the 9th is the only session that looks worthwhile. The rest of the 16 days are a flat, choppy, or weak affair. For a spot that’s fairly consistent, this is a rough run, but it won’t stay this way forever. If you’re desperate, you’re looking at the point on Sunday, but don’t expect much.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 18 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 16 | WNW 10 | SSW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
210 | 159 | 318 | 168 | 291 | 349 | 319 | 292 | 305 | 237 | 186 | 217 | 203 | 273 | 268 | 232 | 226 | 183 | 160 | 242 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:42PM1.81m | 9:30AM1.17m | 6:48PM1.87m | 10:10AM1.27m | 7:53PM1.92m | 10:46AM1.34m | 8:53PM1.95m | 11:21AM1.38m | 9:49PM1.93m | 11:54AM1.42m | 10:41PM1.85m | 12:27PM1.46m | 11:32PM1.72m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:23AM-0.06m | 12:33PM1.05m | 2:23AM-0.21m | 1:50PM1.01m | 3:15AM-0.32m | 2:52PM0.91m | 4:02AM-0.38m | 3:47PM0.78m | 4:45AM-0.38m | 4:38PM0.65m | 5:25AM-0.30m | 5:30PM0.54m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 20 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 19 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 |
210 | 29 | 56 | 72 | 80 | 349 | 319 | 292 | 305 | 237 | 186 | 217 | 203 | 232 | 268 | 232 | 157 | 183 | 148 | 84 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 |
82 | 159 | 318 | 168 | 291 | 259 | 169 | 167 | 160 | 143 | 101 | 56 | 116 | 273 | 119 | 175 | 226 | 164 | 160 | 242 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 15 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 |
17 | 83 | 36 | 56 | 82 | 36 | 13 | 24 | 12 | 98 | 96 | 93 | 124 | 25 | 28 | 67 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 |
12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 8 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 313 | 345 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 125 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 125 | 17 | 37 | 150 | 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.











