
Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, NW swell with 783 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period with NW 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 16s 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 2AM. 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 18s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
Hey, it’s Rusty. Let’s run through the next 16 days for Indicators.
The first week is a bit of a struggle. There’s some swell around, but the wind messes it up most of the time. The second week turns into a total drought. Only one session really stands out.
We kick off Wednesday, July 8th, with 4ft of SSW swell, a long 17-second period, but the wind is blowing onshore. The water is 62°, which is a massive 6° warmer than average – that’s super unusual. The wave energy is moderate (1078). The call is “marginal,” so not worth rushing out. Thursday and Friday are similar, with a bump to 7ft on Friday morning from the NW, but it’s short-period (9 seconds) with cross-onshore winds. Energy is strong (1456), but the quality is poor.
Here’s the one gem. Saturday afternoon, July 11th, the wind goes glassy, 3 mph from the SW, and you’ll get 5ft of WNW swell. The period is short at 8 seconds, but with that glassy surface, it’ll be clean. Energy is moderate (562) and conditions are “good.” This is the best session of the first week.
Sunday morning, July 12th, also looks glassy with some clouds, 5ft from the WNW, period 9 seconds. That’s another good window, but Saturday afternoon is the pick.
The rest of the week into Monday and Tuesday is poor. More onshore wind and smaller swell. Tuesday afternoon, July 14th, goes glassy again with 4ft from the WNW, but the energy is weak (400) and the swell is fading. It’s a maybe, but not a standout.
The biggest swell arrives Thursday morning, July 16th: 8ft from the NW with a 9-second period. Energy is strong (1738). The wind is light offshore from the W at 3 mph. This is over 8ft, so it’s expert-only territory. And with a short period, it’s going to be lumpy and fat. The forecast still calls it “marginal.”
After the 16th, it’s game over. From Friday, July 17th, all the way through the 23rd, we’re looking at tiny swell, 2ft to 4ft, with long periods of 15-18 seconds from the SSW. These are groundswells, but they’re too small. The wind stays onshore or cross-onshore, and the energy is weak to moderate. That’s a long stretch of nothing, from the 18th to the 23rd.
So, bottom line: Saturday afternoon, July 11th, is your winner with glassy conditions and 5ft of clean swell. Sunday morning, July 12th, is also decent. The big 8ft swell on Thursday the 16th is for experts only and is a bit messy. After that, pack it up, it’s flat.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SSW 15 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
681 | 597 | 540 | 499 | 426 | 783 | 727 | 395 | 479 | 390 | 307 | 364 | 331 | 594 | 324 | 238 | 233 | 169 | 161 | 197 | 381 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | on | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 5:25PM1.66m | 7:37AM0.92m | 6:13PM1.77m | 9:19AM1.04m | 7:05PM1.87m | 10:22AM1.17m | 8:01PM1.95m | 11:09AM1.26m | 8:57PM2.01m | 11:51AM1.33m | 9:52PM2.02m | 12:31PM1.37m | 10:45PM1.98m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:11AM0.60m | 00:42AM0.16m | 11:15AM0.78m | 1:40AM-0.05m | 12:31PM0.91m | 2:34AM-0.25m | 1:43PM0.98m | 3:26AM-0.41m | 2:47PM0.98m | 4:16AM-0.50m | 3:46PM0.93m | 5:03AM-0.54m | 4:42PM0.86m | ||||||||
5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | 8:30 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 15 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | WNW 9 | SSW 14 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 12 | WNW 8 |
681 | 597 | 302 | 339 | 402 | 435 | 381 | 256 | 302 | 237 | 249 | 364 | 233 | 324 | 324 | 238 | 184 | 169 | 161 | 85 | 202 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | S 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | — | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 20 | SSW 15 | S 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 14 | SW 18 |
124 | 66 | 499 | 499 | — | 387 | 348 | 2 | 242 | 242 | 7 | 252 | 55 | 236 | 210 | 141 | 15 | 129 | 102 | 37 | 152 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | — | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | S 21 | — | W 18 | W 16 | W 17 | S 18 | W 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | SW 19 | W 14 | SW 18 | SSW 12 |
123 | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 6 | 5 | 6 | 25 | 19 | 51 | 37 | 96 | 36 | 81 | 61 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | — | WNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | — | WNW 9 | NW 9 | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | WNW 8 | NW 8 |
150 | 204 | 540 | — | 426 | 783 | 727 | 395 | 479 | 390 | 307 | — | 331 | 594 | — | — | 233 | — | — | 197 | 381 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 345 | 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.










