Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period, SW swell with 173 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s 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 0.6m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 15s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the surf on offer for this stretch.
Honestly, it’s a pretty lean run ahead. We're looking at a reef and point set-up that's fairly exposed to the swell, and the optimum direction is from the NW, but we just aren't seeing that magic alignment. The water’s sitting at 69°F, about a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, which is a nice bonus if you're getting in.
Most of the 16-day window is filled with poor surf conditions. We've got a long, quiet spell from August 22nd right through to September 3rd. The swell is tiny, mostly around 1ft to 1ft, and while there's a bit of groundswell with periods up to 19 seconds, it's just not big enough to do anything interesting. The wind is constantly cross or cross-onshore, keeping the surface messy.
There is a very brief flicker of hope on Wednesday the 26th of August. The morning goes glassy, with a wee 2ft SSW groundswell (period 16 seconds). The combined swell energy measures 175, which is moderate, and for that one moment it's clean and glassy. But the waves are still tiny and the conditions are ordinary at best.
The only real standout to point you towards is the morning of Friday the 4th of September. Finally, the swell bumps up to a clean 3ft from the west, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined swell energy hits 110 (moderate), and we get light, cross-offshore winds from the south. It's surfable, and it's clean. This is the best bet on offer, but it's far out, so keep an eye on the forecasts. The only line-up could have a few people in it, so expect some company.
For the first week and a half, don't bother. The setup looks way more interesting for a kite surfer than for a paddle surfer, with all that cross-shore wind and not much wave height. Stick to the morning of September 4th if you want the best chance at a slide.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed morning, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 6 | W 6 | W 10 | W 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
50 | 50 | 58 | 126 | 111 | 112 | 111 | 98 | 173 | 169 | 127 | 124 | 124 | 87 | 76 | 74 | 73 | 53 | 30 | 49 | 22 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:37AM1.43m | 6:15PM1.92m | 8:52AM1.49m | 7:02PM2.01m | 9:08AM1.54m | 7:41PM2.10m | 9:26AM1.60m | 8:17PM2.17m | 9:45AM1.66m | 8:52PM2.19m | 10:05AM1.73m | 9:26PM2.16m | 10:26AM1.81m | 10:01PM2.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:01PM1.32m | 1:56AM0.42m | 12:56PM1.25m | 2:27AM0.34m | 1:37PM1.16m | 2:55AM0.27m | 2:12PM1.06m | 3:21AM0.24m | 2:47PM0.96m | 3:45AM0.25m | 3:23PM0.87m | 4:09AM0.30m | 4:00PM0.78m | 4:33AM0.39m | |||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | W 6 | SSW 13 | S 14 | W 6 | SW 17 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 16 | W 7 | W 6 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 |
15 | 31 | 120 | 15 | 57 | 103 | 21 | 98 | 21 | 21 | 127 | 113 | 51 | 483 | 356 | 184 | 121 | 53 | 30 | 246 | 480 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 15 | W 5 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 14 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | S 12 | SW 16 | W 7 | W 6 | SW 14 | S 10 | SSW 17 | S 10 | W 7 |
42 | 42 | 8 | 58 | 111 | 112 | 106 | 29 | 173 | 169 | 57 | 124 | 109 | 87 | 76 | 26 | 73 | 80 | 188 | 49 | 22 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 16 | S 10 | SW 18 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | W 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | S 10 | W 10 | SSW 10 |
50 | 50 | 58 | 126 | 20 | 8 | 111 | 37 | 57 | 57 | 14 | 56 | 124 | 15 | 75 | 74 | 50 | 123 | 48 | 49 | 31 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | W 5 | — | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — |
— | 9 | — | — | 13 | 21 | — | 19 | — | — | 22 | — | — | 25 | — | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 54 | 1 | 166 | 117 | 2 | 72 | 71 | 0 | 62 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 1 | 1 | 62 | 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.











