
Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 19s period, SW swell with 184 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicator in the next 16 days are 0.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 17s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, this is Rusty. Alright, looking at the next couple weeks, it’s a real mixed bag. We’re talkin’ a reef and point spot that gets pretty fair swell exposure, but man, the quality is gonna be a fight for most of it. The water is sitting at a super warm 73°F, which is a whopping 7°F warmer than usual for this time of year... that’s a proper, very unusual warm spell, so you can probably leave the full rubber at home.
First chance at anything is Friday the 11th in the afternoon, but it’s real ordinary. A tiny 2ft swell from the SW is coming in, but there’s a light cross-shore wind. The combined energy is a weak 202, and the word is “poor surf conditions,” so honestly, not worth the paddle out.
Saturday the 12th morning is a glimmer. The swell drops a touch to 2ft from the SW, but we finally get a gentle offshore from the SSE, cleaning it right up. The period is a long 14 seconds, so it’s a proper groundswell. With energy at 163 (moderate), it’s surfable, just very ordinary. The afternoon goes cross-onshore and choppy, so don’t expect much. Sunday the 13th morning is similar – clean with a S’ly cross-off and 1ft SW swell, 13-second period (171 energy). It’s tiny but clean.
Things stay in that same small, clean zone through Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th mornings with that offshore SE wind, but the swell just can’t get any size. It’s a case of “something to ride” rather than “good surf.” The periods are long (16-18 seconds), so there’s energy in the water, but the height is just too small.
Now, there is a build on the horizon. Saturday the 19th sees the swell pick up to 2ft from the SW, energy climbing to 294 (moderate-strong), but the wind is all wrong – cross-onshore in the afternoon and choppy. The standout of the whole run is Sunday the 20th in the morning. We get a 2ft SW swell, with a 18-second period, and the combined energy is at a solid 311 (moderate-strong), but the magic is the wind – it goes *glass*. Absolutely dead calm. That’s the window. It’s not big, it’s not perfect, but if you want the cleanest, smoothest lines you can get, that Sunday morning is the call. It’ll be the best on offer, no question.
That glassy window gets broken by cross-onshore in the afternoon, and then Monday the 21st is marginal, with a 2-3ft SW swell (energy 330-362) but cross winds making it lumpy. Tuesday the 22nd morning gets a brief offshore from the SE, cleaning up a 2ft SW swell (241 energy), so another okay session, but nothing special.
From Wednesday the 23rd through Thursday the 24th, we’re stuck in the same pattern: 2ft SW swell, 14-15 second period, energy between 191-258, light winds mostly cross-off. It’s surfable, but honestly, it’s just flat and weak. Then it completely dies. Friday the 25th drops to a pathetic 0.3ft swell, and from there it’s just a sad tale of onshore winds and barely any wave height through to the end of the run on the 26th. A big gap of no real surf to speak of.
So, for the best wave of the outlook: Sunday morning, September 20th. It’s not a bomb, but that glassy conditions with a 2ft SW groundswell (18 sec period) and energy at 311 will be the cleanest, most fun you’ll have. It’s a reef and point, so that long period (15+ seconds) is actually a bonus – it’ll wrap in nicely without breaking too straight. Expect some company though; the crowds can show up here sometimes.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon night, min 19°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 19 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 24 | WSW 5 | W 5 | SW 21 | SW 21 | W 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
171 | 103 | 100 | 96 | 65 | 58 | 137 | 48 | 108 | 106 | 90 | 88 | 39 | 22 | 5 | 5 | 71 | 72 | 24 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:13PM2.04m | 10:38AM2.08m | 10:56PM1.86m | 11:06AM2.08m | 11:41PM1.67m | 11:34AM2.05m | 00:31AM1.48m | 12:04PM1.98m | 1:39AM1.31m | 12:38PM1.89m | 4:30AM1.23m | 1:26PM1.80m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:24AM0.45m | 4:53PM0.50m | 4:50AM0.63m | 5:38PM0.51m | 5:14AM0.81m | 6:26PM0.56m | 5:34AM0.98m | 7:22PM0.64m | 5:47AM1.12m | 8:36PM0.71m | 10:17PM0.72m | ||||||||
— | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | SW 14 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | WSW 6 | W 9 | W 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | W 5 |
25 | 23 | 100 | 65 | 65 | 44 | 137 | 44 | 32 | 18 | 10 | 38 | 11 | 200 | 181 | 144 | 144 | 73 | 11 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 5 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 14 | SSW 15 |
171 | 103 | 35 | 96 | 63 | 45 | 44 | 48 | 108 | 106 | 90 | 88 | 39 | 5 | 14 | 28 | 44 | 32 | 121 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 15 | WSW 14 | S 10 | WSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | W 10 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | W 9 | SSW 20 | SSW 15 | SW 24 | S 9 | W 5 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 |
17 | 37 | 7 | 15 | 58 | 58 | 57 | 17 | 25 | 15 | 6 | 75 | 21 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 71 | 72 | 110 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 2 | — | — | — | WSW 5 | — | — | W 3 | W 5 |
— | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 4 | 24 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 62 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 148 | 2 | 166 | 41 |
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.










