Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, WNW swell with 425 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 (Aug 18) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m 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 1.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 14s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, mate, Rusty here with a look at the upcoming surf. We’re gonna be honest, the next week and a bit is pretty grim. We’re looking at a long stretch of small, weak, and onshore surf. The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t pop up until around Thursday the 26th of August, and even that’s a bit of a mixed bag. There’s about a week of mostly nothing worthwhile before that.
So, for this whole region, the only spot we’ve got on the list is called Indicators. It’s a point break that takes a WNW swell, and it’s an advanced wave. This spot is fairly consistent, but with the onshore winds we’ve got, it’s a bit of a struggle.
The early part of the outlook is tough. Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th have tiny 3ft SSW swells with a bit of period, but it’s onshore from the west. The wave energy is moderate (509), but it’s messy. Thursday the 20th afternoon offers a brief window of glassy conditions with a small 2ft SSW swell, but the energy is still only moderate (427), so it’s not exactly pumping. After that, it’s back to small, onshore slop with poor conditions right through until the 24th of August. You’re looking at a solid 5-day blank run.
Now, the standout moment. Keep your eyes on Thursday morning, the 26th of August. A stronger pulse of swell shows up from the NW at 7ft, with a short, punchy period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps right up to strong (1130). Now, this size (over 5ft) means it’s getting a bit much for the beginners, and the period being short means it’s a windswell, so it won’t have that groomed, groundswell quality. It’s a bit of a beast, and with light onshore winds, it could be a handful, but it’s the most energy we see in the whole forecast. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
The 28th of August sees a similar sized swell (5ft WNW), but the wind swings to a moderate cross-onshore, making it choppy and poor. There’s another pulse on the 31st of August with a 6ft NW swell, again with moderate energy (1077), but the winds are light cross-onshore, which keeps it from being perfect.
So, to wrap it up, the main show is Thursday the 26th of August at Indicators, with that 7ft NW windswell. It’s your best bet, but it’s not a day for the faint-hearted. The rest of the period is a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | NW 7 | SW 18 | WNW 11 | WNW 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 236 | 322 | 366 | 178 | 305 | 322 | 256 | 156 | 183 | 242 | 105 | 425 | 102 | 173 | 125 | 116 | 108 | 103 | 157 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 10:24AM1.28m | 7:34PM1.58m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 2:15PM1.02m | 3:08AM0.03m | ||||||
 |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 19 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SSW 15 | WNW 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 236 | 322 | 366 | 104 | 86 | 322 | 111 | 156 | 183 | 111 | 91 | 99 | 99 | 173 | 65 | 116 | 108 | 103 | 80 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | W 12 | SSW 15 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | S 16 | SSW 12 | S 14 |
| kJ | 23 | 24 | 24 | 163 | 305 | 78 | 256 | 107 | 109 | 119 | 105 | 79 | 56 | 68 | 73 | 97 | 129 | 51 | 106 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | W 13 | S 10 | SSW 17 | WNW 13 | S 22 | WNW 12 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | S 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 26 | 13 | 2 | 95 | 59 | 9 | 75 | 36 | 15 | 183 | 81 | 2 | 30 | 61 | 2 | 29 | 94 | 83 | 157 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | — | WNW 7 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 75 | 22 | 119 | 178 | — | 134 | — | 88 | 120 | 242 | 105 | 425 | 102 | 103 | 125 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 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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