Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 22 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, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with 705 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM. 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 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming our way. It’s a slow burn, no doubt about it, but there’s a few rays of hope for the patient surfer.
The first nine days are pretty much a bust. The swell is tiny and the conditions are just grim. You’ll see some small bumps, but every report is screaming “poor surf conditions” and the scores are all zeros. We don’t even get a sniff of something decent until Friday the 28th of August, and even that is only marginal.
The real highlight of this whole forecast is Indicators on Friday afternoon, the 4th of September. The combined swell energy is pumping hard at 1158, and we’re looking at a clean 4ft of SSW groundswell. The wind is forecast to be glassy, which is the dream for a clean face. The water is much warmer than usual for this time of year, at 62°, so you can probably get away with a spring suit. The period is a very long 19 seconds, so the waves will have plenty of grunt and shape. Just remember, with that long period, the sets can be a bit spaced out, but the quality will be there when they come. This is an advanced wave, so leave the beginners on the beach. The optimum direction is WNW, and this swell is coming from the SSW, so it’s not a perfect match, but the quality of the swell and the wind makes it the best option by a long shot.
Another session to watch is Friday afternoon, the 28th of August. The swell is smaller at 2ft from the SSW, but the energy is solid (586) and the wind is glassy. It’s a smaller day, but it would be clean. The crowd factor at Indicators can be “often” busy, so get in early.
From the 29th of August through the 1st of September, the swell sticks around but the wind is a bit more onshore or cross-onshore, so it gets messy. There’s a pulse on the 2nd of September with some 5ft WNW swell, but the period is a short 7 seconds and the wind is choppy. That setup looks more like a kite-surfing session than a proper paddle.
On the 3rd of September, the afternoon brings a 3ft SSW swell with a super long 20-second period and 843 energy, but the cross-on wind keeps it from being a standout. The 4th of September is the clear winner, but the 5th of September also has some size at 4ft, though the wind is onshore, so it’ll be rough.
So, to wrap it up: the first week is a total loss. The second week has a few windows, but the one to circle on your calendar is that Friday afternoon on the 4th of September. Get it while it’s glassy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 17 | NW 7 | WNW 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | NW 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
99 | 111 | 162 | 144 | 86 | 157 | 155 | 147 | 190 | 219 | 130 | 124 | 169 | 122 | 200 | 103 | 103 | 138 | 336 | 292 | 486 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 9:57AM1.25m | 6:37PM1.55m | 10:24AM1.28m | 7:34PM1.58m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:24PM1.09m | 2:29AM0.11m | 2:15PM1.02m | 3:08AM0.03m | 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 | ||||||||
6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 25 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 19 | 23 | 27 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 20 |
Feels °C | 20 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 19 | 22 | 26 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 14 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | S 13 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 7 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | WNW 7 |
99 | 33 | 108 | 107 | 26 | 89 | 71 | 150 | 51 | 219 | 87 | 124 | 169 | 122 | 142 | 106 | 69 | 138 | 336 | 292 | 134 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | S 13 | SW 16 | S 13 | W 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 11 | W 11 | SW 14 | SSW 18 |
57 | 65 | 98 | 144 | 51 | 106 | 153 | 147 | 190 | 126 | 130 | 85 | 55 | 92 | 163 | 103 | 103 | 36 | 35 | 91 | 486 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 11 | S 13 | W 17 | W 16 | W 15 | SSW 12 | W 13 | SSW 15 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | S 10 | W 10 | W 10 |
61 | 111 | 50 | 94 | 83 | 157 | 155 | 9 | 92 | 23 | 45 | 38 | 49 | 55 | 146 | 38 | 39 | 32 | 17 | 30 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 7 | — | WNW 7 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | NW 5 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 5 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 7 |
17 | 61 | 162 | — | 86 | — | — | 67 | — | 37 | 31 | 14 | 28 | 49 | 200 | 96 | 85 | 106 | 117 | 173 | 235 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 477 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











