Indicator Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° N 118.43° W

Indicator Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 11 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicator sea temperature is
21.9° C
3.1° 

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


Indicator surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 193 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s period with SW 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Indicator in the next 16 days are 0.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 8PM. 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 17s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 13th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 16s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 13th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 8PM (Thu 13th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get real about this forecast. I’m gonna level with you, it’s been a tough stretch and it’s not about to get much better for a while.

The first decent chance to even get wet isn’t until Thursday, the 13th of August. The swell is tiny, just 2ft from the SW, and the period is a long 16 seconds, which is proper groundswell but it’s barely breaking. The morning is the only window, with a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSW keeping things clean. It’s surfable, but don’t expect much. The energy is weak (130).

Then we go into a long drought. From Friday the 14th right through to the morning of Thursday the 20th of August, it’s pretty much a write-off. Winds are all cross or cross-onshore, the swell is tiny and often short-period windswell, and the combined energy is low – mostly under 120. It’s not worth paddling out.

Thursday morning the 20th of August finally gives us something a little better. The water temp is about average for this time of year. The swell is 3ft from the west, but the period is still only 7 seconds – short, local windswell. The wind is light from the south though, giving a clean, cross-offshore look. The energy is moderate (148). Still not a standout, but it’s the best we’ve seen in a week.

The real highlight, the only thing that gets me excited, is the morning of Friday the 21st of August. The swell picks up to 4ft from the west, still a short 6-second period, but the wind turns offshore from the SE at 9 mph. That’s clean, lined-up conditions. The combined energy is moderate (192). This is your best bet for a proper session. Crowds are possible at this spot, so get in early.

After that, it’s a messy mix of small, short-period west swell and cross-shore winds. The morning of Sunday the 23rd of August has a clean window with a light cross-offshore breeze and a 1ft, long 19-second SW groundswell – the energy is moderate (159) – but it’s tiny. The morning of Wednesday the 26th of August is similar, with 2ft from the SW and a 16-second period, clean with a light cross-offshore wind. For a spot that’s fairly consistent, these are just ordinary, small days.

Honestly, if you’re not into paddling for tiny waves, this run might be more interesting for the kite surfers with the consistent cross-onshore winds later in the afternoons, but that’s not my game.

For the paddle surfer, set your alarm for the morning of Friday the 21st of August. That’s your day.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue night, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
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
18
0.5
SW
17
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.3
SW
12
0.6
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
14
0.6
W
5
0.5
W
5
0.5
W
5
0.6
W
5
0.5
W
5
0.6
W
5
0.7
W
5
0.6
W
5
1
W
5
1.1
W
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
152
143
127
125
124
24
188
104
103
16
12
13
18
13
17
25
18
45
91
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
10
WSW
20
WSW
10
SSW
10
SSW
15
WSW
5
SW
10
SW
20
W
5
WSW
10
SW
20
WSW
10
WSW
10
SW
20
W
10
WSW
10
WSW
25
W
5
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
8:52PM2.49m
10:23AM1.78m
9:39PM2.43m
10:56AM1.85m
10:24PM2.29m
11:29AM1.91m
11:09PM2.08m
12:03PM1.95m
11:55PM1.84m
12:36PM1.95m
00:45AM1.59m
1:12PM1.93m
1:49AM1.36m
Low Tide
3:58AM-0.05m
3:30PM0.84m
4:34AM0.03m
4:20PM0.77m
5:07AM0.17m
5:09PM0.73m
5:39AM0.36m
6:01PM0.73m
6:08AM0.57m
6:58PM0.76m
6:35AM0.78m
8:04PM0.79m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:13
6:13
6:15
6:16
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:43
7:42
7:40
7:39
7:38
7:37
 mm
Temp °C
21
20
21
20
19
20
19
19
20
19
19
21
20
21
21
20
21
22
22
Feels °C
20
22
21
20
20
20
19
20
19
18
20
19
19
22
20
17
21
20
19
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 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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