Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, W swell with 206 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with W 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 (Sep 02) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 1.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 14s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is a tough one to call. The swell window is just not cooperating for this spot. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak, and messy surf coming our way, so you’ll want to temper your expectations.
Starting from Monday the 31st of August right through to the end of the first week of September, it’s flat or nearly flat, with the odd knee-high slop. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-shore, making things choppy and uninviting. The combined swell energy barely gets into double digits most days – a measly 24 to 36 (weak energy) – so there’s just no grunt behind it.
We do see a slight lift in energy around Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd of September mornings, with combined swell energy hitting 127 and 131 (moderate energy). That’s a tiny pulse of long-period swell (15-16 seconds) from the southwest, but it’s only showing as 1ft. Thursday morning has a clean offshore wind from the SE, which would make it look pretty, but the size is just too small to get excited about. You might get a few grovelly runners on the inside, but it’s not worth a dedicated session.
The water temperature is a massive 9° warmer than average at the start, clocking in at 75°. That’s very unusual for this time of year – feels more like summer than late winter.
As we push into the second week, things don't really improve. Around Thursday the 10th of September, we get another little spike in energy (256, moderate), but again it’s paired with onshore winds and tiny 2ft swell. Friday the 11th of September looks marginally better – clean cross-offshore winds from the SSE with a 2ft, 15-second SW groundswell. The energy is there (217), but the size is still marginal. If you’re a log or a foil, you might find a fun one at Indicator (reef and point). It’s fairly consistent and a SE wind is offshore here, so it’ll be clean. Just keep in mind it gets crowded sometimes, and the swell is tiny – 2ft from the west-southwest – so you’ll be fighting for scraps.
Honestly, there’s no standout session in this entire 16-day window. It’s a classic case of “the swell is there, but the size isn’t.” Hold tight and check back later.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat night, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 18 | W 6 | SW 16 | W 5 | W 7 | SW 15 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 10 | W 5 | W 5 | WSW 10 | WNW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 24 | 22 | 50 | 41 | 49 | 69 | 96 | 21 | 206 | 84 | 31 | 91 | 34 | 20 | 24 | 21 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 20 | 30 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-on | off | off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross |
High Tide | 11:42AM2.00m | 00:07AM1.58m | 12:16PM2.03m | 1:10AM1.38m | 12:59PM2.03m | 2:56AM1.23m | 1:58PM2.00m | 6:18AM1.25m | 3:21PM2.00m | 7:21AM1.38m | 4:52PM2.05m | 7:50AM1.50m | 6:07PM2.15m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:13PM0.65m | 5:43AM0.81m | 7:15PM0.65m | 6:07AM0.96m | 8:36PM0.64m | 6:33AM1.11m | 10:17PM0.58m | 7:10AM1.25m | 11:45PM0.44m | 10:06AM1.32m | 00:47AM0.29m | 11:54AM1.24m | 1:35AM0.17m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  |  | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — |
 | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 11 | W 7 | W 6 | SSW 18 | W 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSE 14 | S 14 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 |
| kJ | 24 | 127 | 30 | 22 | 68 | 41 | 31 | 39 | 127 | 47 | 207 | 91 | 252 | 343 | 326 | 314 | 310 | 346 | 423 | 589 | 536 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | S 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 11 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 18 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 134 | 75 | 69 | 68 | 36 | 43 | 60 | 67 | 145 | 79 | 46 | 319 | 34 | 20 | 24 | 207 | 187 | 204 | 191 | 142 | 144 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SW 19 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | S 12 | SSW 10 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SSE 14 | W 6 | SW 10 | W 5 | W 5 | WSW 10 | W 4 |
| kJ | 89 | 14 | 62 | 38 | 49 | 79 | 96 | 54 | 58 | 84 | 12 | 40 | 44 | 29 | 118 | 21 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 20 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | — | W 5 | W 7 | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | WNW 5 |
| kJ | — | 22 | 50 | 41 | 27 | 69 | — | 21 | 206 | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | 30 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 62 | 2 | 2 | 54 | 2 | 148 | 117 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 1 | 2 | 117 | 1 | 2 | 62 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 55 |
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.
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