Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, NW swell with 715 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 2.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s take a look at the next couple of weeks.
The first chance to get wet is Monday morning, July 13. It’s not big – a south-southwest swell at 2 ft, but with a 13-second period, that’s a nice groundswell. The wind is glassy, so the water will be like a mirror. Wave energy is moderate at 419. This is an advanced-level spot, so know your limits. The water’s at 61°, which is much warmer than average for this time of year.
Then it gets rough. From Tuesday July 14 all the way through to Thursday July 23, the conditions are poor for paddle surfing. The swell shifts to west-northwest and the period drops to 8 seconds – that’s short-period windswell, junk waves. Swell heights get up to 5 ft to 7 ft by Thursday July 16, with energy hitting 769 and then over 1000 on Friday July 17 (1073), but the onshore and cross-onshore winds wreck it. It’s choppy and blown out. If you kite surf, the bigger swell and consistent wind might be fun, but for a paddle surfer? Not worth it.
Now, the standout is way out there. Sunday morning, July 26 – circle that date. We’ve got a 3 ft south-southwest swell with a very long 19-second period. That’s real groundswell, tons of energy (1201). And the wind? Glassy again. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the one. A long-period swell like this will be super clean and well-shaped, but it can wall up at beach breaks – this point break is made for it. Advanced only, and crowds are likely, but for waves this good, it’s worth it.
The day before, Saturday July 25, also has clean cross-offshore wind and a 3 ft swell with a 21-second period – even longer – but the wind isn’t fully offshore, so July 26 wins.
So plan it out: Monday July 13 for a quick clean session, then hold out for Sunday July 26 for the real score. The middle weeks are a write-off for paddle surfing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sat 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 16 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 249 | 242 | 229 | 233 | 229 | 187 | 184 | 175 | 157 | 166 | 204 | 149 | 230 | 560 | 351 | 513 | 715 | 493 | 284 | 190 | 309 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | on | glassy | on |
High Tide | 8:01PM1.95m | 11:09AM1.26m | 8:57PM2.01m | 11:51AM1.33m | 9:52PM2.02m | 12:31PM1.37m | 10:45PM1.98m | 1:10PM1.40m | 11:37PM1.87m | 1:48PM1.42m | 00:29AM1.70m | 2:25PM1.45m | 1:22AM1.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:26AM-0.41m | 2:47PM0.98m | 4:16AM-0.50m | 3:46PM0.93m | 5:03AM-0.54m | 4:42PM0.86m | 5:48AM-0.51m | 5:38PM0.79m | 6:32AM-0.41m | 6:37PM0.71m | 7:14AM-0.26m | 7:39PM0.64m | 7:55AM-0.06m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 |
 | 8:29 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:25 | — | 8:24 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 22 | 26 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 18 | 21 |
Feels °C | 20 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 24 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | WNW 8 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 17 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 249 | 62 | 154 | 157 | 154 | 181 | 184 | 175 | 102 | 85 | 117 | 109 | 50 | 315 | 125 | 122 | 419 | 284 | 151 | 149 | 169 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 14 | SSW 13 | W 14 | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 12 | W 13 | SW 16 | WNW 19 | WNW 19 | W 18 | W 17 | SW 14 | W 16 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 28 | 242 | 229 | 233 | 229 | 187 | 15 | 127 | 36 | 37 | 152 | 38 | 55 | 125 | 123 | 120 | 169 | 151 | 74 | 190 | 309 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 20 | WNW 9 | SSW 18 | S 18 | W 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | W 13 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 15 | W 16 |
| kJ | 7 | 49 | 61 | 25 | 19 | 51 | 37 | 96 | 58 | 81 | 61 | 31 | 44 | 28 | 28 | 14 | 76 | 145 | 84 | 104 | 186 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | 181 | — | 157 | 166 | 204 | 149 | 230 | 560 | 351 | 513 | 715 | 493 | 284 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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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