Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 19 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SSW swell with 368 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 0.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 21st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s break down what’s coming at Indicators.
For the first stretch, it’s a slow grind. We’re looking at a lot of small, weak, and choppy days before anything good shows up. The combined energy is stuck in the low to moderate range for most of the first week, nothing that’ll get you stoked.
The big wait is worth it, though. The first real standout hits on Saturday morning, September 26th. We’ve got a 4.9ft swell from the WNW with a short 10-second period. The combined energy hits 605 (moderate), and the wind is glassy. That’s clean, punchy surf. It’s a little much for beginners, but everyone else, get in the water.
After a few more days of smaller stuff, another strong window arrives on Wednesday morning, September 30th. Another 4.9ft WNW swell, 9-second period, combined energy of 492 (moderate), with glassy conditions again. It’s a similar look to the 26th, a solid morning.
By Thursday morning, October 1st, it drops back to 4.3ft from the WNW with a 9-second period. It’s still glassy, but the energy is down to 297 (weak). Just a so-so session.
Water temp is pretty normal for the season. Crowds can be a factor here sometimes, so expect company on those good mornings.
Plain and simple: the first week is a wash. Focus on September 26th and September 30th mornings. Those are your best bets.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 125 | 165 | 168 | 128 | 198 | 138 | 121 | 251 | 251 | 184 | 211 | 319 | 252 | 319 | 330 | 309 | 360 | 364 | 368 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:35AM1.08m | 1:57PM1.53m | 6:37AM1.08m | 2:40PM1.49m | 8:30AM1.18m | 3:35PM1.45m | 8:55AM1.24m | 4:44PM1.43m | 9:16AM1.27m | 5:57PM1.42m | 9:32AM1.28m | 7:02PM1.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:19PM0.21m | 7:34AM0.93m | 9:17PM0.26m | 8:04AM1.08m | 10:29PM0.30m | 10:31AM1.16m | 11:45PM0.29m | 12:10PM1.14m | 00:51AM0.23m | 1:12PM1.05m | 1:42AM0.17m | 1:58PM0.93m | 2:22AM0.11m | ||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 24 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 17 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 19 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | SW 18 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 125 | 165 | 168 | 85 | 78 | 78 | 45 | 120 | 251 | 41 | 77 | 319 | 99 | 118 | 330 | 217 | 227 | 203 | 272 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 |
| kJ | 94 | 144 | 14 | 128 | 198 | 138 | 121 | 251 | 116 | 184 | 211 | 58 | 252 | 319 | 29 | 309 | 360 | 364 | 368 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 20 | WNW 12 | SSW 11 | WNW 11 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | WNW 8 | S 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 9 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 75 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 116 | 117 | 113 | 25 | 20 | 101 | 68 | 8 | 52 | 29 | 2 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 25 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | NW 6 | — | WNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 149 | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 68 | — | 77 | 173 | 188 | 183 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 127 | 345 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 104 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 144 | 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.
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