
Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SW swell with 346 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 21s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicator in the next 16 days are 0.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore 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+) | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 1ft (0.3m) 21s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming our way for this stretch.
Honestly, for the first few days, it’s a bit of a flat spell. Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th offer next to nothing – the wave heights are barely a whisper at 1 foot to 1 feet, and the energy is weak. You’re looking at a real slow start. There’s a gap of a couple days where it’s not even worth paddling out.
We finally see a pulse of energy arriving Friday morning the 18th. Swell pushes up to 2 feet from the SW, with the period stretching out to a very long 19 seconds. This is proper groundswell, but it’s small. The combined energy is moderate at (198). The wind is light and cross-off from the S, so the waves will be clean. This is a classic reef and point setup, which is a good thing because that long period tends to make beach breaks do nothing. It’s surfable, but just barely worth the wax.
Saturday the 19th is much the same story: 2 feet of SW swell with that long 18-second period. The morning is clean again with that light S wind (213 energy). It’s still a very ordinary wave – not a standout, but it’s the best we’ve got so far. Crowds are likely, though.
Here’s your true standout: Eyes on Sunday morning, September 20th. The swell holds at 2 feet from the SW, period still holding at a very long 18 seconds. The combined energy is solid at (283). The key is the wind: light SSE at 6 mph, giving us cross-off conditions. Expect good surf conditions. This is the cleanest, most contestable window of the whole run for this break. For a reef and point, that long period will wrap in nicely and give you some shape.
Monday the 21st morning is also promising. We get 3 feet of SW swell, a 17-second period, and the wind goes pure offshore from the SE at 9 mph. The combined energy jumps to (388). That’s a real chance for a proper, drivable wave. It’s a little more size than Sunday, but still very manageable.
After that, the trend is downhill. The second week fades back into the doldrums. Tuesday the 22nd through to the end of the month sees the swell drop to 1 foot to 2 feet, the period shortens, the wind turns onshore or cross-shore, and the scores drop right off. You get a quick moment on Tuesday the 29th morning with glassy conditions and a bit of energy (189), but the swell is only 1 feet, so it’s a stretch.
Overall, your best calls are Sunday September 20th and Monday September 21st mornings. The water is sitting at a balmy 73°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – with a 8°F anomaly, that’s a very unusual warmth, so you can ditch the wetsuit.
Stay stoked,
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | W 5 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 21 | SW 21 | W 5 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
88 | 39 | 8 | 37 | 33 | 71 | 71 | 18 | 184 | 184 | 131 | 199 | 252 | 199 | 252 | 252 | 241 | 338 | 334 | 318 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:39AM1.31m | 12:38PM1.89m | 4:30AM1.23m | 1:26PM1.80m | 2:47PM1.73m | 8:19AM1.44m | 4:29PM1.73m | 8:03AM1.50m | 5:42PM1.80m | 8:10AM1.56m | 6:33PM1.89m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 7:22PM0.64m | 5:47AM1.12m | 8:36PM0.71m | 10:17PM0.72m | 11:43PM0.65m | 10:16AM1.43m | 00:37AM0.56m | 11:59AM1.34m | 1:14AM0.48m | 12:47PM1.23m | 1:43AM0.42m | |||||||||
— | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 5 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 5 | SW 19 | W 5 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
37 | 9 | 200 | 59 | 132 | 144 | 74 | 167 | 14 | 184 | 20 | 199 | 252 | 32 | 252 | 252 | 65 | 50 | 334 | 318 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 5 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 21 | SW 14 | W 5 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 5 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | W 6 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 17 | W 6 | W 6 |
88 | 39 | 8 | 37 | 33 | 71 | 32 | 18 | 184 | 61 | 59 | 14 | 56 | 199 | 31 | 29 | 241 | 338 | 27 | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | S 9 | S 13 | W 5 | WSW 14 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SSW 14 | S 11 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 |
75 | 35 | 7 | 14 | 4 | 20 | 71 | 110 | 69 | 9 | 131 | 58 | 18 | 50 | 28 | 2 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 24 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 9 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 13 | — | — | 13 | — | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 212 | 2 | 1 | 148 | 2 | 2 | 117 | 12 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 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.










