Indian Wells Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me level with you. Right now, we’re looking at a pretty grim stretch for Indian Wells. This is one of those times where you might want to keep the board in the car just in case, but honestly, you’re better off saving the wax for later. There’s a big gap of nothing special for over a week, with the first decent window not showing up until way out toward mid-month. Let’s walk through it.

The first few days, from Sunday the 5th all the way through to around the 10th, it’s pretty much a write-off. Tiny swell, weak energy, and onshore winds messing things up. Sunday morning starts with rain showers and a glassy 1ft of SE swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds and the energy is weak – just 29. That’s about as uninspiring as it gets. The water temp is 69°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. Afternoon gets cloudier and the wind swings onshore. Not worth paddling out.

Monday the 6th sees a bump in size to 6ft, but it’s short-period ESE windswell with a paltry 6 seconds and onshore winds at 22 mph. The energy climbs to 185 but the conditions are messy. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing one, especially as a beach-sandbar break.

The rest of that week stays small and choppy, with the only slight glimmer being Friday the 10th. Morning brings clean, light offshore winds out of the W, with 3ft SSW swell, an 8-second period, and energy around 113. Afternoon improves a touch – 4ft, same direction, still clean with light cross-offshore winds. The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” and honestly, that’s the best we get for a while. It’s not a standout, just the least bad option.

Then we hit another dry spell from Saturday the 11th through to Wednesday the 16th. Consistent onshore flow, lumpy seas, and either too small or too chopped up. A few mornings show clean conditions but the swell is tiny, under 3ft, with weak energy.

Now, for the real standout of the whole 16-day window – and it’s a long-range call, so take it with a grain of salt – is Sunday the 19th. Morning brings a solid 10ft SSW groundswell, 9-second period, with gentle cross-shore winds from the SW. The wave energy is a massive 1105, so we’re talking serious power. But here’s the catch: the guidance says the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. Indian Wells is a sandbar, and with 10ft of long-period groundswell, it’s likely only for experts. The winds are light but cross-shore, so it won’t be perfect. Still, if you’re an experienced surfer and you’ve got the cojones, that morning is the only time in the whole forecast that has any real punch. Afternoon drops to 7ft, same direction, still big but with light rain and a slight cross-chop.

Monday the 20th fades quickly – 5ft, clean cross-offshore, but energy drops to 279, and the comment says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions.” Not worth getting excited about.

So, bottom line: for the next week and a half, save your energy. The only day that stands out – and it’s a conditional, expert-only kind of stand-out – is Sunday the 19th, with that big, powerful 10ft SSW groundswell. Keep an eye on the wind, but if you’re experienced and brave, that’s your one shot.

Stay frothy,
Rusty

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