Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with 877 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. 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 Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 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
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – this is a rough run for the region. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but honestly, there’s nothing that’s going to get the heart pumping. The first week is a write-off, with barely a ripple. From Tuesday the 25th of August right through to the end of the month, we’re looking at tiny, poor-condition surf. The combined swell energy is weak, mostly hanging around the 200 to 300 range (241 to 356), with a long-period, 16-18 second SSW groundswell that just doesn’t have any power. The wind is a constant cross-onshore, making it messy.
The first real sign of life comes on Friday morning the 28th of August, but it’s marginal at best. The swell is only 3 ft from the SSW, with a 17-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 722 (moderate). The wind is light and offshore, which is a good sign, but the wave quality is questionable, likely due to tide. It’s a *maybe* for a desperate surfer, but nothing to write home about.
Over the weekend, Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th see a slight bump, with the combined energy touching 949 on Saturday morning (moderate), but the swell is still only 4 ft from the SSW. The wind is cross-onshore on Saturday, so it’s choppy. Sunday morning has a brief offshore moment, but it’s still marginal. The following week doesn’t offer much more. We get a few windows with offshore winds, but the swell is small and the energy is low.
The one standout, and I mean the only one, is Wednesday morning the 2nd of September. It’s still not epic, but it’s the best we’ll see. The wind goes glassy, the swell is a tiny 2 ft from the SW, but with a 17-second period, the combined energy is 210 (weak). The guidance says this is a sheltered point break, and it’s only for advanced surfers. It’s fairly consistent, but the optimum swell direction is WNW, and we’re getting SW, so it’s not ideal. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild. Still, with glassy conditions, that little 2 ft groundswell might just offer a few clean, peelable waves. It’s not going to be big, but it’ll be the most surfable moment in this whole stretch.
After that, we’re back to marginal conditions through to the 9th of September. The winds turn offshore again on a few mornings, but the swells are small and the energy is weak. Honestly, this is a period for cleaning the wax off your board and watching the forecast. There’s no big swell on the horizon, and the wind is playing against us. It’s a tough run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NW 7 | SW 15 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
190 | 181 | 130 | 124 | 169 | 166 | 210 | 133 | 133 | 289 | 340 | 387 | 486 | 823 | 505 | 688 | 554 | 411 | 400 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 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 | |||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 22 | 26 | 20 | 25 | 28 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 21 | 25 | 20 | 23 | 27 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 19 | 24 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | S 13 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | S 13 | WNW 7 | S 12 | S 11 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | SSW 19 | WNW 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NW 7 |
37 | 181 | 87 | 124 | 169 | 171 | 131 | 139 | 125 | 173 | 134 | 387 | 102 | 823 | 505 | 173 | 554 | 411 | 122 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | S 13 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 15 | SSW 16 | S 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | S 10 | SSW 18 | W 9 | S 9 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 14 |
190 | 126 | 130 | 86 | 112 | 166 | 146 | 104 | 103 | 138 | 340 | 49 | 486 | 15 | 13 | 688 | 6 | 2 | 400 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | W 17 | W 16 | W 15 | W 13 | W 13 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 14 | S 9 | S 9 | — | S 9 | W 12 | — | W 11 |
92 | 23 | 45 | 38 | 55 | 55 | 106 | 133 | 133 | 93 | 57 | 89 | 27 | 15 | — | 6 | 3 | — | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 4 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 7 |
— | 37 | 32 | 21 | 29 | 44 | 210 | 78 | 120 | 289 | 248 | 127 | 194 | 111 | 202 | 297 | 142 | 196 | 231 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Cruz | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











