Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
16.7°C
2.0° 

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


Indicators surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with 823 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 17s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 1.2m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 0.7m 13s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 24th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 17s
Best Surf 5AM (Sat 29th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 18s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sat 29th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’ve got the lowdown on our local surf outlook for the next couple of weeks. Let's be straight with you—it's a slow start, but there are a few windows where it could get good.

We’re looking at a fairly quiet run here, especially to kick things off. From now through most of this week and into the first weekend, it’s mostly small and uninspiring. You’ll see some swell pulses, but they come with messy winds or just poor conditions that keep things flat and frustrating. There’s a gap of several days here with no real recommendations, so don’t rush to wax up just yet. The first hint of something worthwhile doesn’t show until Friday the 28th, and even then, it’s just a brief tease.

Indicators (Point) is a sheltered spot that only picks up swells from the WNW. This is an advanced-level wave, fairly consistent but often crowded. It’s reefy and needs the right angles.

The best bet in the whole outlook is Friday morning, August 28th. We get a clean 2ft SSW groundswell with a solid 17-second period, and the wind is light and cross-offshore from the north. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 62°, which is a couple of degrees above average. Combined energy is strong at 657, so there's punch in the water. Conditions should be clean.

After that, the surf gets messy again with onshore winds and lumpy seas through the weekend and into the start of September. But don’t give up hope—the second week has some real promise. Thursday morning, September 3rd, and Friday morning, September 4th, are both looking glassy with clean 3ft to 3ft SSW groundswell and very long periods of 18-19 seconds. The energy is moderate to strong (483 and 706), and with glassy conditions, those long-period lines will wrap in nicely at this point break. Then on Monday morning, September 7th, we see another glassy window with a 2ft SSW groundswell, a very long 21-second period, and 615 combined energy. That one is about a week and a half out, so it’s promising but less certain.

For a standout, I’d say Indicators on Friday, August 28th morning is your best early call—clean, long-period swell, and just enough size. The long period and reef setup here can make it a little tricky if it’s too straight, but with the right wind, it should offer proper shape. Later on, the Thursday September 3rd and Friday September 4th mornings look excellent for a cleaner, glassier session. Keep an eye on the crowds, as this spot can get busy, and it’s not one for beginners when it’s over 5ft.

Stay patient, and get on it when the glass hits.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the NW by Sat afternoon).

Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
2
1
1
0
0
2
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
17
0.6
SSW
17
0.6
SSW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
16
1.4
NW
7
0.5
SW
14
1.3
WNW
6
1.7
NW
7
1.5
NW
8
0.7
SSW
19
0.9
SSW
18
1.1
SSW
18
1
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1
SSW
15
1
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
155
147
190
181
130
124
169
166
189
103
132
311
264
387
486
697
505
688
554
411
400
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
10
WSW
5
NNE
5
W
5
WNW
5
NE
5
W
10
WNW
5
NNE
5
W
15
WNW
0
N
10
N
10
WNW
5
NNW
10
W
35
NW
10
NW
5
WSW
10
W
5
NNE
Wind State
cross-on
on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
on
glassy
High Tide
10:46AM1.29m
8:23PM1.62m
11:04AM1.28m
9:08PM1.62m
11:20AM1.29m
9:49PM1.61m
11:36AM1.32m
10:29PM1.57m
11:54AM1.36m
11:10PM1.51m
12:15PM1.43m
11:54PM1.42m
12:38PM1.51m
00:42AM1.32m
Low Tide
2:56PM0.94m
3:42AM-0.03m
3:32PM0.85m
4:12AM-0.07m
4:05PM0.75m
4:38AM-0.07m
4:37PM0.64m
5:03AM-0.03m
5:11PM0.53m
5:28AM0.06m
5:47PM0.43m
5:53AM0.19m
6:27PM0.33m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:35
6:35
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:47
7:45
7:45
7:44
7:42
7:40
7:38
 mm
Temp °C
18
21
17
22
26
20
24
28
22
25
28
22
21
25
20
19
24
17
17
19
16
Feels °C
18
20
17
22
26
20
22
26
21
24
27
21
20
24
19
18
20
14
16
17
16
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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