Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 582 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s 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 (Aug 14) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. 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 1.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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 0.3m 12s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, let's run through it in feet and Fahrenheit.
It's a grim start, plain and simple. From Thursday the 13th through the weekend up to Sunday the 16th, there’s basically nothing to ride. We’re talking tiny 2ft to 3ft SSW groundswell, but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, ruining any chance of clean waves. The combined energy is moderate, reading between 313 and 616, but it’s all poor quality surf. You’re looking at a dead stretch for days.
Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th stay marginal. The water temperature is just normal for this time of year at Indicators.
Then, Tuesday the 18th brings a change. A short-period NW swell shows up. The morning has waves around 6ft, with strong combined energy of 849. The wind is onshore from the W, not perfect but the size is there. Since Indicators is a sheltered point, it won’t catch all of it.
The real standout is Wednesday the 19th morning. That NW swell pushes to around 7ft, with a very strong combined energy of 1245. That’s over 8ft, so it’s expert territory only. The wind is a light onshore from the WSW, adding a bit of bump, but there’s so much power that you’ll find some big, lumpy walls. The period is short (8 seconds), so it’s not the smoothest groundswell, but the punch is real. After that, the size drops off a cliff, and we’re back to poor surf all the way through the 28th.
For the experts out there, Wednesday the 19th morning at Indicators is your only real chance. The rest of the 16-day run is mostly a bust. Given the onshore conditions and the beach setup here, the bigger, windier days might be better for kite surfing.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 164 | 212 | 242 | 188 | 184 | 249 | 512 | 493 | 525 | 469 | 358 | 334 | 334 | 334 | 236 | 256 | 366 | 224 | 242 | 256 | 256 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 12:27PM1.46m | 11:32PM1.72m | 12:58PM1.49m | 00:22AM1.55m | 1:29PM1.52m | 1:14AM1.37m | 1:59PM1.54m | 2:12AM1.19m | 2:31PM1.55m | 3:25AM1.04m | 3:05PM1.55m | 5:30AM0.98m | 3:45PM1.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:30PM0.54m | 6:03AM-0.17m | 6:21PM0.45m | 6:39AM0.01m | 7:13PM0.39m | 7:14AM0.23m | 8:08PM0.37m | 7:49AM0.46m | 9:09PM0.35m | 8:26AM0.69m | 10:17PM0.34m | 9:12AM0.89m | 11:30PM0.31m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | 125 | 125 | 125 | 64 | 140 | 214 | 512 | 493 | 525 | 469 | 358 | 334 | 334 | 334 | 236 | 256 | 366 | 163 | 242 | 256 | 134 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | WNW 7 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | S 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | SW 9 | W 15 | SSW 16 | WNW 14 | WNW 12 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 164 | 212 | 242 | 188 | 184 | 249 | 26 | 17 | 123 | 78 | 8 | 68 | 41 | 9 | 31 | 3 | 17 | 105 | 61 | 87 | 256 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 20 | S 10 | WNW 7 | WNW 10 | S 11 | S 12 | S 10 | SW 10 | S 11 | WNW 8 | S 10 | SW 9 | W 14 | S 10 | WNW 14 | SW 21 | S 22 | WNW 13 |
| kJ | 21 | 20 | 18 | 127 | 17 | 44 | 10 | 10 | 24 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 40 | 17 | 9 | 127 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | WNW 10 | NW 6 | — | WNW 10 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 62 | — | — | 116 | 44 | — | 75 | — | 81 | 145 | 138 | 183 | 219 | 224 | 207 | 148 | 235 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 150 | 0 | 0 | 166 | 5 | 0 | 104 | 4 | 0 | 104 | 5 | 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.
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