Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, W swell with 203 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 5AM (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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 18s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a good look at what’s on the cards for this stretch of coast. It’s gonna be a tough one for the next little while, I’m not gonna sugar-coat it. We’re looking at a long, dry spell before we see anything worth paddling out for.
The first bit of hope comes on the morning of Wednesday, August 27th. The water is a balmy 72°, which is a whopping 6° warmer than what we’d normally see this time of year. That’s rare, so you’ll be in a t-shirt, that’s for sure. But the swell? It’s tiny. We’re looking at a long-period groundswell, 1 ft from the SW with a period of 15 seconds. The energy is weak (80), and while the wind is light offshore from the SSE, leaving the surface clean, there’s just no power in the water. It’s a scratch session, not a memorable one.
The pattern continues right through the end of August and into the first week of September. There’s a lot of 2 ft, 2 ft, and 3 ft dribble from the W, with periods that are mostly short and weak. The combined energy values are all low, stuck in the double digits or low triple digits, and the wind is mostly cross-on, making it choppy. You get the odd clean morning with a light offshore or cross-off breeze, but the swell is simply too small to do anything with. It’s a real dry spell.
Now, the real standout – and the only one I’d circle on the calendar – is the morning of Wednesday, September 9th. A pulse of long-period SW groundswell arrives, pushing through at 2 ft with a period of 17 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 232 (moderate), which is the most we’ve seen in the entire forecast. The wind is a light cross-on from the W, which isn’t perfect, but it’s manageable. This is a solid, clean groundswell window. The crowd factor at this spot (Indicator) can be a factor sometimes, but for a morning like that, with some real energy in the water, it’ll be worth the company. This is the one to aim for.
Beyond that, the outlook fades again into small, choppy junk through the afternoon of the 9th and into mid-September. If you’re a kiter, you might find some fun in the consistent cross-on breezes on the beachier days, but for the rest of us, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 22°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri night, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 10 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
16 | 124 | 119 | 104 | 74 | 74 | 64 | 71 | 31 | 148 | 65 | 41 | 138 | 91 | 41 | 67 | 33 | 21 | 20 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:17PM2.17m | 9:45AM1.66m | 8:52PM2.19m | 10:05AM1.73m | 9:26PM2.16m | 10:26AM1.81m | 10:01PM2.08m | 10:49AM1.89m | 10:39PM1.95m | 11:14AM1.95m | 11:20PM1.78m | 11:42AM2.00m | 00:07AM1.58m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:21AM0.24m | 2:47PM0.96m | 3:45AM0.25m | 3:23PM0.87m | 4:09AM0.30m | 4:00PM0.78m | 4:33AM0.39m | 4:40PM0.71m | 4:56AM0.51m | 5:23PM0.67m | 5:19AM0.65m | 6:13PM0.65m | |||||||
— | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 24 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 16 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 15 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 14 | S 13 |
153 | 199 | 177 | 114 | 51 | 85 | 51 | 186 | 148 | 80 | 65 | 402 | 138 | 91 | 242 | 67 | 33 | 73 | 163 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 17 | W 10 | S 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | W 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSE 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 11 | W 5 |
65 | 124 | 119 | 104 | 74 | 74 | 119 | 71 | 25 | 480 | 373 | 15 | 392 | 279 | 59 | 180 | 134 | 23 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 14 | W 13 | S 12 | W 8 | SW 14 | S 9 | SW 13 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 17 | SSE 14 | W 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 12 | SSW 13 |
16 | 15 | 15 | 85 | 47 | 11 | 64 | 42 | 46 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 28 | 41 | 7 | 50 | 49 | 27 | 68 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | W 7 | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — |
— | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | 148 | — | 41 | — | — | 41 | — | — | 21 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 41 | 1 | 62 | 62 | 0 | 2 | 62 | 0 | 1 | 62 | 2 | 2 | 117 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Los Angeles County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











