Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with 688 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s 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 (Sep 04) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicators in the next 16 days are 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next 16 days for this stretch. It’s a slow cooker, so don’t rush out. The first few days are a total write-off, so save your energy.
The first real glimmer of hope is on Saturday morning, September 5th. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the SSW with glassy wind. The combined energy is moderate (744), and the period is a long 16 seconds—that’s groundswell, proper. This spot, Indicators, is a point break that’s fairly consistent. It’s an advanced spot, so leave the kids at home. The water temp is 60°, which is average for this time of year, so a spring suit works. That Saturday morning is your first good window.
Next up is Wednesday afternoon, September 9th. The swell bumps to 4ft from the SSW, with a 13-second period. The wind is a light cross-offshore, keeping it clean. The energy is strong (947). The advanced crew will have a good time. Thursday morning, September 10th is also a cracker—completely glassy, 3ft of SSW swell at 17 seconds (700 energy). Smaller, but perfect for a quiet session.
Then we get a little messy. Wait it out. Saturday morning, September 12th we’re back. Glassy conditions, 4ft of WNW swell. It’s short period (8 seconds) so it’s windswell, but with that glassy top it’ll be fun. The energy is moderate (474).
The big one is Sunday morning, September 13th. Glassy, 5ft of WNW swell, short period (8 seconds). The energy is 422. This is the biggest, cleanest swell of the whole run. The water is calm, the wind is off. For an advanced spot, this is the day. Monday morning, September 14th is a solid follow-up with 4ft and glassy conditions, but Sunday is the real winner.
The second week settles into a smaller, more consistent groove. The mornings from Monday, September 14th through Wednesday, September 16th are all glassy, with swell from 3ft to 4ft from the WNW. Energy drops (287 to 230), so it’s longboard or cruiser territory. Early the following week, September 17th and 18th, the period picks up but the wind turns onshore, so it’s back to being marginal.
The standout is Sunday morning, September 13th. Get on it. The forecast is solid for the first week; the second week is a bit more of a guess, but the glassy mornings look promising.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WNW 6 | SSW 14 | WNW 6 | SW 18 | WNW 6 | NW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 348 | 497 | 582 | 486 | 590 | 554 | 688 | 422 | 405 | 376 | 309 | 29 | 166 | 31 | 80 | 37 | 140 | 75 | 581 | 418 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:09PM1.73m | 6:57AM1.08m | 4:13PM1.73m | 8:23AM1.19m | 5:26PM1.74m | 9:03AM1.28m | 6:42PM1.76m | 9:36AM1.35m | 7:51PM1.77m | 10:09AM1.41m | 8:53PM1.76m | 10:40AM1.46m | 9:49PM1.71m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:34PM0.12m | 9:05AM1.05m | 11:55PM0.04m | 11:23AM1.11m | 1:07AM-0.05m | 12:56PM1.02m | 2:06AM-0.14m | 2:02PM0.87m | 2:56AM-0.20m | 2:57PM0.69m | 3:39AM-0.20m | 3:46PM0.51m | 4:18AM-0.13m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — |
 | 7:34 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 121 | 179 | 582 | 486 | 590 | 554 | 688 | 422 | 405 | 376 | 309 | 682 | 746 | 683 | 590 | 725 | 771 | 628 | 581 | 418 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | S 15 | NW 9 | S 14 | SSE 14 | S 14 | WNW 6 | SSW 14 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 11 | NW 6 | NW 7 | SSW 16 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 348 | 497 | 163 | 154 | 130 | 122 | 41 | 84 | 239 | 273 | 236 | 29 | 166 | 31 | 27 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 223 | 309 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 12 | S 15 | WNW 9 | SW 11 | SW 10 | NW 9 | SW 19 | SW 10 | SW 18 | SW 9 | WNW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | NW 9 |
| kJ | 83 | 150 | 85 | 32 | 56 | 68 | 15 | 155 | 73 | 57 | 25 | 20 | 57 | 14 | 80 | 3 | 11 | 75 | 143 | 21 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 10 | — | — | WNW 9 | — | NW 5 | NW 9 | NW 6 | — | WNW 6 | — | — | WNW 6 | NW 11 | — | NNW 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 202 | — | — | 180 | — | 13 | 120 | 32 | — | 47 | — | — | 37 | 140 | — | 7 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 121 | 345 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 144 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 121 | 4 | 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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