Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 619 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s 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 (Sep 01) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) 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 0.7m 12s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s see what this stretch has in store.
First up, the early days are dead quiet. From Monday August 31st all the way through to Monday September 7th, there’s no real surf to speak of. The swell is tiny – mostly under 3 ft – and the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, making everything messy. Combined wave energy is moderate at best (447 on Monday morning, dropping to 175 by Tuesday afternoon). It’s a proper flat spell, so don’t bother suiting up.
Things finally turn on Tuesday September 8th. The morning brings glassy conditions and a clean 4 ft swell from the WNW, period 9 seconds. Combined energy is moderate (516). It’s not big, but it’s the first clean surf we’ve seen. Wind is dead off, so the waves will be smooth and clean. A solid option for a mid-week paddle.
The standout is Thursday September 10th. The morning delivers a meaty 6 ft swell from the WNW with a 12-second period – real groundswell energy. Combined energy jumps to 1200, which is strong and punchy. The wind is glassy, so expect clean, powerful waves. This is the session to aim for. Given the size, it’s for intermediate and advanced surfers – beginners should sit this one out.
Friday September 11th morning still has some push at 5 ft from the WNW, but the wind turns cross-onshore, so it won’t be as clean. Combined energy drops to 687, still moderate but less crisp.
From September 12th onwards, it’s back to small, onshore slop with combined energy under 400. Nothing worth chasing.
This is Indicators, a point break that’s sheltered and needs a WNW swell – which matches up nicely for the 8th and 10th. It’s an advanced wave, fairly consistent, and crowds are often around, so expect company on the good days.
Water temperature is 60°F with a +0.7° anomaly, so about average for this time of year.
Bottom line: the window is tight. Tuesday the 8th is a good clean start, but Thursday the 10th is the one to mark. After that, it’s back to the waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
325 | 226 | 156 | 154 | 154 | 123 | 137 | 103 | 246 | 325 | 411 | 497 | 582 | 619 | 597 | 469 | 457 | 434 | 305 | 301 | 239 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 1:06PM1.58m | 1:38AM1.21m | 1:39PM1.66m | 2:48AM1.11m | 2:19PM1.70m | 4:27AM1.04m | 3:09PM1.73m | 6:57AM1.08m | 4:13PM1.73m | 8:23AM1.19m | 5:26PM1.74m | 9:03AM1.28m | 6:42PM1.76m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:14PM0.25m | 6:48AM0.54m | 8:09PM0.20m | 7:19AM0.73m | 9:15PM0.16m | 7:56AM0.91m | 10:34PM0.12m | 9:05AM1.05m | 11:55PM0.04m | 11:23AM1.11m | 1:07AM-0.05m | 12:56PM1.02m | 2:06AM-0.14m | ||||||||
6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 19 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | WNW 7 |
122 | 226 | 156 | 154 | 154 | 96 | 93 | 89 | 141 | 325 | 106 | 175 | 186 | 619 | 597 | 469 | 457 | 434 | 305 | 301 | 99 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSE 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | W 5 | WNW 9 | S 11 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | S 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 10 | SSW 10 | WNW 6 | SSE 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 |
325 | 39 | 38 | 26 | 21 | 123 | 137 | 9 | 68 | 123 | 411 | 497 | 582 | 53 | 35 | 151 | 41 | 27 | 69 | 106 | 239 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | W 10 | S 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | NW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | WNW 8 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | W 15 | NW 10 | SSW 11 | SSE 14 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SW 10 | S 15 |
33 | 8 | 81 | 46 | 41 | 40 | 24 | 103 | 246 | 57 | 70 | 103 | 83 | 17 | 102 | 65 | 37 | 42 | 41 | 28 | 109 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | — | — | WNW 10 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | NW 7 |
— | 110 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 245 | — | — | 157 | — | 23 | 67 | 189 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 316 | 5 | 0 | 219 | 270 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 104 | 207 | 0 | 0 | 326 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 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.











