
Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with 1,283 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.9m and 8s 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) 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 0.8m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with the imperial version.
We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag on the horizon. The first decent surf window kicks off Wednesday afternoon, July 29th, with a long-period SSW groundswell coming in. The break on the radar is Indicators, a sheltered point break that’s advanced-level and fairly consistent. This spot works best when the swell comes from the WNW, and we’re seeing a 4ft SSW swell with a 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell, but it’s coming from a direction that’s not ideal for this wave. The wind is a light cross-on from the WNW at 6 mph, so it’s not perfect, but the water is sitting at 60°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 896. The conditions are described as marginal, so not a standout, but it’s the first surf on offer.
Thursday morning, July 30th, actually looks a bit cleaner. The swell drops slightly to 3ft, still from the SSW at 16 seconds, but the wind swings to a light offshore from the WSW at 3 mph. The energy jumps up to 1237, moderate-strong. The afternoon of the same day turns glassy, dead calm with WNW wind, and the swell is 3ft at 15 seconds, energy at 758. It’s a small, clean window, but it’s inconsistent.
The real standout, the one worth circling, is Friday afternoon, July 31st. We get a shot of WNW swell, 5ft at 8 seconds – short period, but the wind goes glassy, dead calm. The combined energy is 472. This is a rare moment of clean conditions for a point break that loves WNW swell. It’s the best on offer in the first week. The wave will be a little soft and short period, but it’ll be clean and fun.
Saturday morning, August 1st, sees a bigger 6ft NW swell at 8 seconds, but the wind is offshore from the WSW at 3 mph. The energy is 700. It’s potentially a bit too big for beginners, but for advanced crew, it’s worth a look. The afternoon has a cross-on wind, so quality drops.
Sunday, August 2nd, through to Monday, August 3rd, the swell stays around 5ft to 6ft, with a WNW direction, but the wind is consistently cross-on or onshore. It’s mushy and messy. Not great.
Then we hit a dry spell. From Tuesday, August 4th, through to Thursday, August 6th, the swell drops below 3ft, and the wind is onshore or cross-on. The conditions are described as poor. No surf to speak of.
Friday, August 7th, sees a pulse of 5ft WNW swell at 10 seconds, with an onshore wind. It’s marginal. Saturday, August 8th, is similar. The period from the 7th to the 10th is a bit of a lull, with onshore winds and marginal conditions.
The second week has a final pulse of long-period SSW swell from Tuesday, August 11th, into Thursday, August 13th. The swell is small, 2ft to 3ft, but with periods of 16 to 19 seconds – very long groundswell. The wind is offshore, but the size is tiny. The energy is weak to moderate. The point break will be clean but very small. Not a standout.
So, the best of the best is Friday afternoon, July 31st, at Indicators. The glassy conditions and the right swell direction make it the pick. The rest of the window is marginal or flat.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
604 | 568 | 527 | 402 | 408 | 218 | 257 | 328 | 381 | 433 | 1283 | 612 | 612 | 665 | 574 | 437 | 287 | 237 | 180 | 111 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:40PM1.66m | 12:58PM1.27m | 11:17PM1.59m | 1:17PM1.30m | 11:56PM1.50m | 1:39PM1.36m | 00:38AM1.39m | 2:04PM1.43m | 1:28AM1.25m | 2:33PM1.52m | 2:28AM1.11m | 3:08PM1.60m | 3:51AM0.99m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:57PM0.89m | 5:41AM-0.16m | 5:30PM0.83m | 6:07AM-0.12m | 6:06PM0.76m | 6:32AM-0.04m | 6:49PM0.67m | 6:58AM0.09m | 7:38PM0.59m | 7:26AM0.26m | 8:37PM0.49m | 7:57AM0.45m | 9:45PM0.38m | |||||||
— | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
8:16 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 17 |
Feels °C | 22 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 |
604 | 294 | 243 | 402 | 232 | 218 | 215 | 183 | 237 | 55 | 672 | 612 | 46 | 665 | 574 | 437 | 287 | 237 | 180 | 111 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSE 15 | SSW 15 | S 13 | SSE 12 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 |
44 | 568 | 527 | 21 | 305 | 86 | 49 | 229 | 89 | 81 | 154 | 73 | 22 | 44 | 44 | 42 | 37 | 37 | 36 | 54 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SSE 14 | S 11 | SW 15 | SSE 13 | S 15 | — | S 21 | SSW 14 | S 10 | SW 19 | SW 14 | S 13 | SSW 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 12 |
155 | 40 | 2 | 76 | 59 | 112 | — | 9 | 82 | 18 | 15 | 48 | 29 | 19 | 67 | 65 | 41 | 61 | 35 | 35 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
292 | 498 | 467 | 280 | 408 | 197 | 257 | 328 | 381 | 433 | 1283 | — | 612 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 144 | 0 | 37 | 37 | 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.










