Indicators Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.95° N 122.03° W

Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 06 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicators sea temperature is
15.5° C
1.0° 

Indicators surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Indicators surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, NW swell with 612 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s period with SW 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 (Aug 06) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 2s 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 1.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 13s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Thu 6th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 13s
Best Surf 8PM (Sun 9th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 9s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sun 9th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Right, let's have a look at what's on the table for the local break. It's a bit quiet to start, but there's a chance of something decent if you're patient.

Alright, the first real chance of a wave around here is Thursday afternoon, the 6th of August. We're looking at a tiny 2ft swell from the SW, but the wind is light and onshore, so it's pretty messy. The water's sitting at 60°F, which is about a degree and a half warmer than usual for this time of year, so it's not too bad. But honestly, the surf is poor, and the combined swell energy is weak (160). It's a bit of a slow start.

Friday the 7th isn't much better. The swell stays small, around 1ft to 2ft, still from the SSW. The morning might have a bit of juice with a very long period of 19 seconds, but the wind is messy. That long period groundswell might make for some weird lines at the beach break, but it's just too small to get excited about. The energy is still weak (250-312).

Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th see a slight bump. Saturday morning has a 2ft SSW swell with a long period of 18 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate (418). The wind is light, but it's still onshore. Sunday morning is the first real glimmer of hope. The swell jumps to 5ft from the WNW with a period of 10 seconds, and the energy is strong (644). The wind is light and onshore, so it's not clean, but it's a better size. The afternoon holds at 5ft, but it's still not clean. It's a bit of a "might be worth a look" situation, but the wind is working against it.

From Monday the 10th right through to the 19th, it's a pretty bleak stretch. The swell hangs around 2ft to 4ft, but the wind is almost always cross-onshore or onshore, and the surf is consistently described as poor. The energy is moderate, but it's all just wind-blown junk. There's a few "marginal" calls in there, but nothing you'd want to drive for. That's a solid ten-day gap with no real recommendations.

Now, hold on. The 20th of August, Thursday afternoon, looks like the standout. There's a 4ft swell from the WNW, with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy is strong (554). The best part? The wind is glassy. We're talking clean, smooth conditions. That's a big, big positive. The swell is a touch over 5ft, so it might be a bit much for absolute beginners, but for the rest of us, it should be a solid, fun session.

Then Friday the 21st, the afternoon looks even better. The same 4ft WNW swell is there, but the wind is dead calm. Zero mph. Absolutely glassy. The energy is moderate (470), but with that wind, the quality is going to be on point. This is the one to circle. The swell is still a bit over 4ft, so it's not for the groms, but for anyone else, this is the best window we've got.

So, the long and short of it is: suffer through the small, messy stuff for the first week, or just wait until the 20th and 21st of August. That's where the real quality is. The break is a bit sheltered and prefers a WNW swell, which is exactly what we're getting. It's a tricky spot, but when it lines up like this, it's a treat.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
2
1
1
2
1
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SSW
19
0.5
SSW
19
0.5
SSW
17
0.7
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
1.4
WNW
10
1.5
WNW
10
1.5
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
9
1.2
WNW
9
1
WNW
8
1.1
WNW
9
1.1
WNW
10
0.7
SSW
18
1.2
WNW
9
1.2
WNW
9
0.7
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
84
80
139
210
159
318
232
291
349
386
354
286
227
137
194
226
273
227
232
226
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
0
N
10
SW
10
SW
0
S
5
SW
10
SW
0
ENE
5
WSW
10
WSW
0
N
5
SW
10
SW
0
S
5
SSW
10
SW
5
SSE
5
SSW
10
SSW
5
S
Wind State
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
4:42PM1.75m
8:27AM1.04m
5:42PM1.81m
9:30AM1.17m
6:48PM1.87m
10:10AM1.27m
7:53PM1.92m
10:46AM1.34m
8:53PM1.95m
11:21AM1.38m
9:49PM1.93m
11:54AM1.42m
10:41PM1.85m
Low Tide
00:16AM0.10m
10:49AM1.00m
1:23AM-0.06m
12:33PM1.05m
2:23AM-0.21m
1:50PM1.01m
3:15AM-0.32m
2:52PM0.91m
4:02AM-0.38m
3:47PM0.78m
4:45AM-0.38m
4:38PM0.65m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:20
6:20
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:09
8:08
8:07
8:06
8:05
8:04
8:02
 mm
Temp °C
19
16
20
21
16
20
22
17
22
23
17
19
21
17
19
21
16
18
19
16
Feels °C
18
16
20
20
16
20
22
17
22
23
18
19
20
17
19
20
16
18
18
16
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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