
Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, NW swell with 766 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s 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 2.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the next couple weeks. It starts off real slow. From Friday the 11th through the following week, we’ve got a lot of days with tiny surf, bad wind, and poor conditions. From Saturday afternoon the 12th right through to Friday the 18th, it’s pretty much a total write-off – cross-on winds, choppy water, and swell mostly below 3 ft. That’s a solid week of not much.
The first decent moment comes Saturday the 19th in the early morning. The wind is glassy, and we’ve got 2 ft of swell from the SSW, period a long 18 seconds. Combined energy is weak at 241, so it’s small and clean, not powerful. That’s good for a longboard in the dawn calm.
Then Sunday the 20th morning is the real highlight of the whole stretch. Glassy wind, 2 ft from the SW, period still 18 seconds, and combined energy bumps up to 444 – moderate. It’s small but clean, and the point here gets crowded often, so get there early. The swell direction is a bit off the optimum WNW for this spot, but glassy conditions smooth that out.
Monday the 21st morning brings a bigger pulse: 5 ft from the WNW, period short at 9 seconds, combined energy at 703 (strong). But the wind is cross-on, so it’s going to be messy and choppy. Could be interesting for a strong swimmer or a kiter, but for paddle surfing, it’s marginal at best.
The last little glimmer is Friday the 25th morning, a week and a half out. Glassy wind again, 3 ft from the WNW, period 12 seconds, combined energy 533. That’s a good combo of clean conditions and moderate power. Worth keeping an eye on.
Water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild.
So, the best on offer is Sunday the 20th morning – cleanest, most consistent of the bunch. Friday the 25th is a long-range maybe. The rest is mostly flat or blown out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | WNW 6 | NW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
430 | 425 | 403 | 309 | 305 | 211 | 200 | 120 | 176 | 475 | 311 | 311 | 766 | 304 | 234 | 173 | 144 | 168 | 164 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:42PM1.62m | 11:37AM1.54m | 11:33PM1.51m | 12:04PM1.56m | 00:23AM1.38m | 12:30PM1.57m | 1:16AM1.26m | 12:56PM1.57m | 2:16AM1.15m | 1:24PM1.56m | 3:35AM1.08m | 1:57PM1.53m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:54AM-0.02m | 5:17PM0.24m | 5:28AM0.15m | 6:01PM0.17m | 6:01AM0.34m | 6:44PM0.15m | 6:33AM0.55m | 7:29PM0.16m | 7:04AM0.75m | 8:19PM0.21m | 7:34AM0.93m | 9:17PM0.26m | |||||||
— | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 24 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 16 | 21 | 24 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 23 | 21 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 12 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | SW 17 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 |
430 | 425 | 403 | 84 | 305 | 211 | 200 | 120 | 118 | 287 | 311 | 77 | 426 | 304 | 234 | 173 | 134 | 113 | 84 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | NW 10 | WSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 |
78 | 44 | 51 | 309 | 35 | 34 | 29 | 16 | 23 | 85 | 44 | 42 | 107 | 127 | 64 | 64 | 144 | 168 | 164 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | WSW 15 | WNW 12 | S 10 | NW 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 20 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 |
39 | 18 | 9 | 85 | 14 | 7 | 30 | 24 | 37 | 92 | 78 | 3 | 23 | 23 | 14 | 75 | 14 | 28 | 24 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 5 | NW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 8 | — | WNW 9 | NW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
194 | 26 | 126 | 191 | 90 | 65 | 131 | 113 | 176 | 475 | — | 311 | 766 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 150 | 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.










