Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 28 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
15.6° C
1.5° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, NW swell with 1,203 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s 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 (Jul 28) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.7m and 8s 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 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) 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 0.9m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 28th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 17s
Best Surf11PM (Tue 28th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 17s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sun 2nd Aug)8ft (2.5m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at the surf on the horizon. Gotta be straight with you—this forecast is a bit of a slow burn, but there are a couple of moments that might make it worth hanging your wetsuit up for.

Water temp is around 60°F for the first session, which is just a touch warmer than usual for this time of year. Nothing crazy, but you won’t be freezing.

The only real standout for the first few days is Tuesday, July 28th, afternoon, at Indicators. It’s a point break, and it’s the only spot that’s really offering anything. We’ve got a 4ft swell from the SSW, with a very long period of 18 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and the combined energy is strong at 1093. The wind is a light cross-onshore at 6 mph, so it’s not glassy, but it’s clean. That long period will be drawing nice lines down the point, but it’s an advanced wave, and crowds are often. Still, if you’re looking for a clean, powerful wave, this is it.

Wednesday morning, July 29th, is the real gem. WSW wind is straight offshore at 6 mph—that’s a major positive. The swell drops a hair to 4ft from the SSW, but the period is still a solid 16 seconds, and the energy is even higher at 1267 (very strong). This is a prime session for that point. Clean faces, long lines, and that offshore breeze will hold them up. This is the best of the whole run for the advanced crew.

After that, the quality drops off. Thursday the 30th has a spike of 6ft from the NW, but it’s short period at 8 seconds, and the wind is cross-on. That’s a lumpy, close-out mess.

Friday the 31st through Saturday, August 1st, the swell gets smaller and weaker. The combined energy is down around 500-800, and the wind is light cross-onshore. Nothing to write home about.

Now, the biggest swell of the period hits Sunday, August 2nd, morning. We’re looking at 8ft from the NW, with a period of 10 seconds and a combined energy of 1889 (very strong). That’s a serious swell, but it’s only for experts—anything over 8ft is a big step up. The wind is light cross-onshore from the SW. It’s a powerful beach break, but with that short period, it’ll be a bit of a washing machine. For the experienced, it’s a session, but it’s not pretty.

From Monday, August 3rd, through to Sunday, August 9th, the surf goes flat. The combined energy rarely gets above 500, and swell heights are mostly under 3ft. The wind is light and cross-onshore. There’s a brief moment on Thursday, August 6th, afternoon, where the wind goes glassy, but the swell is only 2ft from the SW. That’s a tiny, clean wave for a longboard, but nothing to get excited about.

The final week is a write-off. From August 7th onwards, the combined energy is mostly in the 200-400 range, and the swell is all under 4ft. Winds are light and cross-onshore. There’s a slight uptick on Sunday, August 9th, morning with a 4ft NW swell, but it’s short period at 10 seconds and the energy is only 436. It’s a marginal look.

So, to sum it up: the standout is Wednesday morning, July 29th, at Indicators. Offshore wind, long-period groundswell, and strong energy. The Tuesday afternoon before it is your next best bet. After that, it’s a long wait for anything decent, and the second week is pretty much flat. Patience is the name of the game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
3
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
1
2
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SSW
18
1.1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
1.3
WNW
8
1.9
NW
8
1.8
WNW
9
2.5
NW
9
2.5
NW
10
1.9
WNW
10
1.9
WNW
10
1.7
WNW
10
1.4
WNW
10
1.2
WNW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
877
619
612
604
568
439
397
305
284
280
187
479
500
1182
1179
638
651
506
363
218
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
5
N
10
WSW
10
W
5
NNW
10
WSW
5
WNW
5
NNE
5
WSW
5
W
5
NNW
5
WSW
5
WNW
5
NNW
5
SW
5
SW
0
NE
5
S
10
SW
0
E
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
10:03PM1.69m
12:40PM1.26m
10:40PM1.66m
12:58PM1.27m
11:17PM1.59m
1:17PM1.30m
11:56PM1.50m
1:39PM1.36m
00:38AM1.39m
2:04PM1.43m
1:28AM1.25m
2:33PM1.52m
2:28AM1.11m
Low Tide
4:25PM0.95m
5:15AM-0.17m
4:57PM0.89m
5:41AM-0.16m
5:30PM0.83m
6:07AM-0.12m
6:06PM0.76m
6:32AM-0.04m
6:49PM0.67m
6:58AM0.09m
7:38PM0.59m
7:26AM0.26m
8:37PM0.49m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:09
6:11
6:11
6:13
6:13
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:17
8:16
8:16
8:15
8:15
8:14
8:13
 mm
Temp °C
22
19
19
22
18
20
24
19
20
23
19
19
22
19
18
20
16
19
21
17
Feels °C
22
19
19
22
18
19
23
18
19
22
19
19
22
20
18
19
17
19
20
17
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
How to use the Wavefinder 
submit an eyeball surf report

Quick surf report for Indicators:

join our community of surf reporters

FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website

The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Indicators surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.


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.

Nearest locationNearest