Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 16 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
16.4° C
2.7° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 769 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 19s 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 13s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Thu 16th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Best Surf 5AM (Fri 17th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Most Powerful 2PM (Tue 21st Jul)5ft (1.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cooking for Indicators. It’s a slow start, but there’s a couple of windows of fun if you’re willing to wait.

The first week is pretty quiet. Thursday afternoon the 16th serves up a 5ft WNW swell, but it’s short-period (8 seconds) and cross-on, making for sloppy conditions. The energy is moderate (539), but it’s not worth paddling for.

From Friday the 17th through Sunday the 21st, we’re looking at small, long-period swells from the SSW and SW, all around 2ft to 3ft. The winds are offshore or glassy at times, which is promising, but the wave height is just too small. The energy is moderate (538 to 652), but the waves are barely breaking. Monday morning the 20th has a glassy 3ft SSW swell, but it’s still very ordinary.

Now, things perk up on Tuesday the 21st. Tuesday morning brings a 4ft SSW swell with a 14-second period and glassy conditions. The combined energy is 752, and the forecast says expect good surf. This is the first real standout. The wind is calm, so the waves will be clean. The period is long enough to have some power.

The middle of the week gets a bit messy again, with smaller 3ft to 3ft SSW swells and cross-on winds. The energy drops (312 to 529). The long-period (24-second) swell on Friday the 24th is a tease – it’s a very long period, better for a point or reef, but the height is only 2ft.

The real payoff is on Monday the 27th. Monday morning has a 4ft SSW swell at 18 seconds, with energy climbing to 1229. But it’s Monday afternoon that’s the standout. The swell is 4ft from the SSW, with a 19-second period and glassy conditions. The combined energy is 1337, which is strong. The forecast says expect very good surf conditions. This is the one. The wind is nearly flat, giving you a clean, lined-up wave. The direction and period are perfect for this spot.

Tuesday the 28th keeps the energy high (1504 and 1465) with 4ft to 5ft SSW swells, but the winds are cross-on, which will chop things up. The rest of the run into the 31st fades into smaller, cross-on conditions.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a slog. Tuesday morning the 21st is your first decent option, but the real gem is Monday afternoon the 27th. That’s the day to mark. Clean, long-period groundswell. The water is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so a spring suit might be plenty.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
2
0
1
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)
1.5
WNW
8
1.9
NW
8
1.8
NW
8
1.4
WNW
8
1.4
NW
8
0.7
SW
17
0.7
WNW
16
0.6
W
16
0.7
SW
17
0.8
SSW
17
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
14
1.6
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
10
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
271
456
428
257
229
309
263
177
288
386
274
322
258
318
684
754
433
339
223
233
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
5
NW
10
WSW
10
W
0
NNE
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
N
5
WSW
10
WSW
5
NE
5
SW
10
SW
0
NE
0
WSW
10
WSW
5
W
10
SW
15
WSW
5
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
glassy
on
on
cross-on
on
glassy
High Tide
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
7:41AM0.94m
5:38PM1.58m
Low Tide
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
11:10AM0.83m
1:23AM0.18m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:01
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:27
8:25
8:24
8:24
8:23
8:23
8:22
 mm
1
Temp °C
22
19
17
21
17
17
21
17
18
20
16
18
20
19
25
26
20
20
23
20
Feels °C
20
17
16
20
16
16
20
17
17
19
16
18
19
19
25
25
21
21
23
20
  • 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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