Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 132 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Indicator this week:
The surf forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicator in the next 16 days are 0.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 15s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty. I’ve had a look at the full 16-day picture and it’s a pretty lean stretch for the reef and point setup we’ve got here. The first week-plus is a total bust – tiny, weak swell with a period under 8 seconds for most of it, and the wind’s usually cross-on or messy. The combined energy’s barely there, often in the double digits (67 on the 30th morning, 33 on the 31st morning, 20 on the 1st morning). It’s not until the 4th of September that we get a little something surfable, and even then it’s only just.
The first real chance comes on Friday morning, 4th September. The swell picks up to 1.1m from the west, period of 6 seconds, combined energy of 136 (moderate). The wind goes glassy – that’s a real treat, dead calm. The break is a reef and point, so that glassy surface will have it looking like a mirror. But you’ll be dealing with short-period, weak lines. It’s clean, but not exciting. Crowds are listed as “sometimes” so you might not be alone.
The next morning, Saturday 5th September, is the best of a very average lot. Morning sees 1.0m west swell, 6 seconds, combined energy 166 (moderate), with a light cross-off breeze from the SSW. That’ll keep the faces reasonably clean. Again, short period, but it’s the most consistent option we’ve got. Crowds are possible on a Saturday. The water temperature’s about average for the time of year.
After that, it’s back to the flat spell. The 10th of September Thursday morning shows a jump in combined energy to 289 (moderate) with a 0.6m southwest swell, period of 17 seconds – that’s long-period groundswell. But the wind is light cross-shore, and the description says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions.” It’s a tease. The 14th of September Monday morning has 0.4m from the southwest, 17-second period, combined energy 149 (moderate), with a slight cross-off breeze. Clean, but tiny. That’s as far out as we can see, and it’s not something to bank on.
Overall, this stretch just doesn’t give us much. You’re waiting for a long-period pulse on the 10th, but it’s marginal and small. The 4th and 5th are your best bets for a clean, small wave session. For anything with real power, you’re out of luck. It’s a quiet run for the region.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | SW 18 | W 5 | SW 16 | W 5 | W 6 | SW 15 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 51 | 42 | 85 | 33 | 30 | 50 | 13 | 49 | 27 | 96 | 28 | 47 | 115 | 28 | 57 | 32 | 20 | 97 | 35 | 33 | 83 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:14AM1.95m | 11:20PM1.78m | 11:42AM2.00m | 00:07AM1.58m | 12:16PM2.03m | 1:10AM1.38m | 12:59PM2.03m | 2:56AM1.23m | 1:58PM2.00m | 6:18AM1.25m | 3:21PM2.00m | 7:21AM1.38m | 4:52PM2.05m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:23PM0.67m | 5:19AM0.65m | 6:13PM0.65m | 5:43AM0.81m | 7:15PM0.65m | 6:07AM0.96m | 8:36PM0.64m | 6:33AM1.11m | 10:17PM0.58m | 7:10AM1.25m | 11:45PM0.44m | 10:06AM1.32m | 00:47AM0.29m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 6 | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 5 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | W 5 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | W 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 279 | 239 | 85 | 33 | 127 | 29 | 13 | 68 | 41 | 20 | 67 | 47 | 36 | 207 | 319 | 364 | 343 | 63 | 310 | 310 | 204 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 10 | SW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | W 6 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | W 6 | SSE 12 | S 14 |
| kJ | 51 | 15 | 180 | 134 | 73 | 99 | 68 | 36 | 31 | 96 | 38 | 193 | 81 | 79 | 81 | 32 | 47 | 326 | 35 | 46 | 179 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | W 9 | SSE 12 | S 13 | SW 19 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | S 13 | SSW 11 | SSE 12 | SW 11 | SSE 13 | SW 10 | SW 10 |
| kJ | 17 | 15 | 27 | 89 | 14 | 62 | 38 | 49 | 79 | 54 | 32 | 46 | 115 | 21 | 13 | 45 | 15 | 55 | 55 | 28 | 16 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 7 | — | — | W 6 | W 6 | — | W 5 | W 5 | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | W 6 | — | W 5 | W 6 | — | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | — | 42 | — | — | 30 | 50 | — | 17 | 27 | — | 28 | — | — | 28 | 57 | — | 20 | 97 | — | 33 | 83 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 41 | 2 | 2 | 62 | 16 | 2 | 62 | 6 | 67 | 117 | 8 | 4 | 41 | 1 | 2 | 62 | 0 | 1 | 41 | 6 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Los Angeles County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Indicator Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Indicator provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Indicator can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Indicator 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 (Indicator) 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 Indicator 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.
Indicator is 5 km (3 miles) from the city of Rancho Palos Verdes. If you plan a vacation in Los Angeles County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Rancho Palos Verdes. Rancho Palos Verdes has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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