Surf Forecasts:
Indicators surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with 366 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s 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 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 16s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicators over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down this little point break – it’s a sneaky one that only works for the crew that knows what they’re doing.
This spot is for advanced surfers only, and it’s fairly consistent, but it really needs that swell to come from the WNW to shape up. The water temperature is about 62°F, which is a good bit warmer than normal for this time of year – a solid 4°F above average, so you might not need your thickest rubber.
The swell shows up Sunday the 16th in the morning with a clean 3ft SSW groundswell, period a solid 16 seconds. The wind is cross-on at 10 km/h from the SW, but the combined energy is 541 (moderate) and those long lines will give you something to work with. It’s only a 2/5 on the call, but it’s the best we’ve got to start.
Now here’s where you circle the dates. Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th mornings are glassy – wind drops to 5 km/h from the SW, which is a total win for clean surfaces. Swell stays at 3ft from the SSW, period 15 seconds. Tuesday morning specifically hits 644 energy (moderate) – that’s the pick of the whole run. Expect good conditions both of those mornings.
Wednesday the 19th morning is glassy again with the same 3ft SSW swell and 15-second period – another solid option. But by Thursday the 20th, the swell jumps to 5ft but only has a short 8-second period from the NW – that’s windswell chop and not worth the paddle. From there, it’s a long run of poor to marginal surf.
From the 23rd of August through the 27th, it goes flat and weak. Swell drops to 1ft to 2ft, periods are short or weak, and combined energy barely gets above 300 – not enough push for a point break.
There’s a little whisper of life on the 28th and 29th – morning swells back to 3ft and 3ft from the SSW, period 17 seconds, with light winds. Saturday the 29th morning hits 599 energy (moderate) – it’s only marginal, but it’s the only thing stirring in the second week.
The takeaway: hit those glassy mornings from the 17th to the 19th. After that, the surf goes into a deep sleep. Don’t get your hopes up for the second week.
Stay salty,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WNW 11 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | SW 18 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 362 | 334 | 334 | 334 | 239 | 322 | 366 | 163 | 305 | 322 | 268 | 157 | 192 | 262 | 105 | 142 | 305 | 248 | 173 | 160 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:12AM1.19m | 2:31PM1.55m | 3:25AM1.04m | 3:05PM1.55m | 5:30AM0.98m | 3:45PM1.54m | 8:24AM1.07m | 4:35PM1.53m | 9:22AM1.18m | 5:34PM1.53m | 9:57AM1.25m | 6:37PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:08PM0.37m | 7:49AM0.46m | 9:09PM0.35m | 8:26AM0.69m | 10:17PM0.34m | 9:12AM0.89m | 11:30PM0.31m | 10:39AM1.04m | 00:41AM0.26m | 12:15PM1.10m | 1:40AM0.19m | 1:24PM1.09m | 2:29AM0.11m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — |
 | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 23 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 19 |
Feels °C | 19 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WNW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 7 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 362 | 334 | 334 | 334 | 108 | 322 | 366 | 107 | 110 | 322 | 149 | 128 | 107 | 111 | 90 | 64 | 183 | 119 | 65 | 160 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | W 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | W 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 8 | 10 | 25 | 26 | 239 | 38 | 19 | 163 | 305 | 78 | 256 | 156 | 183 | 128 | 105 | 99 | 99 | 68 | 73 | 98 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | W 13 | S 10 | SSW 17 | WNW 13 | S 22 | WNW 11 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 4 | 17 | 25 | 9 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 95 | 59 | 9 | 74 | 36 | 15 | 183 | 81 | 79 | 30 | 33 | 20 | 29 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | — | — | WNW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | — | — | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | — |
| kJ | 75 | — | — | 50 | 85 | 50 | 153 | — | — | 145 | 268 | 157 | 192 | 262 | 84 | 142 | 305 | 248 | 173 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 144 | 0 | 104 | 345 | 0 | 0 | 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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