
Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 20s period, SW swell with 552 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 21s 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 (Jul 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 21s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 0.9m 20s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 14s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 21s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 20s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it, because I’ll be honest – this one is a bit of a tough read. We’ve got a stretch of surf ahead that’s more about dodging the closeouts than scoring anything memorable. The water is running a warm 72° at the moment, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year – feels like a bath out there, but the waves are nowhere near as inviting.
The outlook starts with a bit of a flat spell, so don't get your hopes up for the first few days. We’re looking at a long gap with no real recommendations. The first hint of something rideable pops up on Saturday the 26th, but it's small and weak. The energy is a measly (29) – barely a bump. The wind is light offshore from the SE in the morning, which will keep the surface clean, but the swell is only 2ft from the west with a short, choppy period of 6 seconds. It’s really not much to write home about.
The real standout, if you can call it that, is a flash in the pan on the afternoon of Saturday, July 25th. The swell jumps to a moderate 2ft, but the period blows out to a massive 21 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is moderate (371). This long period will make the waves peel with more shape, but it’s a west-southwest swell hitting a spot that needs NW to be optimum, so it’s a bit of an off-angle. The wind is light and cross-shore, so it’ll be a bit bumpy. Still, for a reef and point setup, that long period can create some surprising lines. It’s a one-afternoon-only deal, and with the crowds noted as “sometimes”, you might have a few mates out there.
After that, it’s back to the waiting game. The rest of the week and into August is a slog of tiny, weak swells – mostly under 2ft with periods of 6 seconds or less. The energy is pathetic, often in the single or low double digits. Winds are light and often offshore in the mornings, which is a tease – the waves just aren’t there. The morning of Monday, August 5th sees a clean, light offshore wind from the SSE, with a 1ft swell from the SW at 14 seconds, giving an energy of (93). It’s still small, but the long period and clean conditions make it the most promising option in the second week. It’s a real “if you’re desperate” kind of session.
To wrap it up: The only real highlight is the Saturday afternoon, July 25th window. The long-period groundswell and moderate energy are a one-off. Everything else is a lot of flat, weak, or poor-quality surf. If you’re a beginner, this entire period is a dud. For the experts, there’s nothing here that’s going to get the heart racing. The setup looks more interesting for a kite than a paddle most days.
So, keep your eyes on the forecast for changes, but for now, I’d be giving the board a rest and maybe finding something else to do for a couple of weeks.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 21 | W 6 | SW 21 | SW 19 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 18 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 17 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | S 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
28 | 368 | 26 | 355 | 546 | 29 | 20 | 455 | 31 | 21 | 414 | 31 | 22 | 31 | 21 | 21 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 6:37PM2.01m | 9:13AM1.43m | 7:20PM2.08m | 9:40AM1.48m | 8:00PM2.16m | 10:04AM1.51m | 8:36PM2.22m | 10:29AM1.54m | 9:11PM2.25m | 10:54AM1.58m | 9:44PM2.23m | 11:20AM1.62m | 10:17PM2.17m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:20AM0.39m | 1:01PM1.24m | 2:54AM0.31m | 1:45PM1.20m | 3:26AM0.24m | 2:23PM1.14m | 3:56AM0.20m | 2:59PM1.09m | 4:25AM0.19m | 3:35PM1.05m | 4:53AM0.21m | 4:12PM1.01m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
Feels °C | 21 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 |
108 | 368 | 467 | 355 | 546 | 480 | 413 | 455 | 553 | 610 | 414 | 528 | 510 | 417 | 318 | 397 | 280 | 276 | 254 | 187 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | SSE 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 16 |
28 | 19 | 26 | 16 | 28 | 29 | 20 | 44 | 31 | 21 | 43 | 31 | 22 | 31 | 21 | 21 | 169 | 212 | 191 | 254 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 24 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 10 | W 9 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 9 | SSW 14 |
217 | 40 | 28 | 47 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 44 | 85 | 74 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 138 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 62 | 0 | 2 | 62 | 0 | 1 | 62 | 0 | 1 | 55 | 0 | 1 | 62 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 117 | 1 |
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.










