
Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (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 ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue night, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly 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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
152 | 143 | 127 | 125 | 124 | 24 | 188 | 104 | 103 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 13 | 17 | 25 | 18 | 45 | 91 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | |||||||
— | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | — | 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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 |
152 | 143 | 127 | 125 | 124 | 164 | 188 | 104 | 211 | 223 | 330 | 326 | 318 | 306 | 272 | 214 | 214 | 183 | 57 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 3 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | W 5 | S 11 | W 5 | W 5 | S 10 | S 10 | W 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 |
28 | 27 | 28 | 2 | 21 | 21 | 75 | 137 | 103 | 180 | 12 | 9 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 32 | 180 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 6 | W 5 | S 9 | S 11 | SW 13 | W 11 | S 11 | S 11 | W 10 | W 10 | S 10 | W 10 | SW 9 |
28 | 27 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 10 | 44 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 4 | SW 12 | — | — | WSW 8 | — | — | W 3 | W 5 | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 |
4 | 1 | 35 | — | — | 13 | — | — | 4 | 16 | — | 13 | — | — | 17 | 25 | 18 | 45 | 91 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 37 | 166 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 117 | 19 | 166 | 62 | 15 | 166 | 117 | 19 | 166 | 41 | 8 | 62 | 117 | 0 |
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.











