Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, W swell with 212 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 1.5m 7s 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 0.7m 15s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for this reef and point set-up, favouring a NW swell direction from a fairly exposed position. The spot’s a reliable little number—fairly consistent and best for intermediate surfers, especially when that offshore SE wind kicks in. But, mate, I’ve gotta be straight with you: the next two weeks are a tough slog. The surf is small and the conditions are mostly messy, with only a few fleeting moments that might get your heart beating.
We’re looking at a long dry spell right through the rest of August. From Wednesday the 19th onwards, the swell is tiny—between 1.0 ft and 2 ft—and the energy is weak to moderate at best, ranging from a low of 22 up to 200 (combined swell energy). The wind is all over the place, mostly cross-on or cross-off, and on some mornings we get a bit of glass or clean conditions, but the waves are just too small and poor to bother. The period on these is short—mostly 6 to 7 seconds—except for a few days where it jumps to 18 or 19 seconds, which is proper groundswell but the size is still pathetic. It’s a real tease.
The first real glimmer comes on Monday the 24th of August. The morning shows a slight uptick in energy, hitting 200 (combined swell energy) with a 1 ft swell from the SW and a period of 18 seconds. That’s long-period groundswell, which favours this reef and point break setup, but the wind is light cross-onshore, so the surface won’t be perfect. It’s still poor surf, according to the wave comment. The afternoon gets blown out by a 16 mph cross-on wind, so don’t hold your breath.
Then on Tuesday the 25th of August, we finally get a morning worth mentioning. The conditions are glassy with a light SW breeze, and the wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” The swell is 2 ft from the SW with a 16-second period—solid groundswell—and the energy is moderate at 212 (combined swell energy). It’s still tiny, but if you’re desperate and the wind stays glassy, you might find a clean little wave on the low tide. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so on a tiny day like this, you might have it to yourself. The water temp anomaly is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
Wednesday the 26th of August morning is also worth a look. The swell is 2 ft from the SW, 16-second period, combined energy of 159 (moderate), and the wind is a light cross-off from the S. That’s clean conditions again. The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” so it’s another small window of opportunity. The afternoons from here on get blown out by cross-on winds, so the mornings are the only chance.
From the 27th of August onward, the energy drops away again—down to 92 or less—and the swell stays tiny through to the start of September. The period shortens back to 7 seconds or so, and the wind is mostly cross or cross-on, so it’s back to poor surf.
The standout in this whole period is Tuesday the 25th of August morning. It’s not big, but for this break, the 16-second groundswell, glassy conditions, and moderate energy make it the cleanest window we’ve got. The other pinch point is Wednesday the 26th of August morning, with those clean cross-off winds. Both are small—only 2 ft—so it’s a longboard day or a foiler’s dream.
Beyond that, there’s nothing else. The second week—into early September—offers no real improvement. The swell stays around 2 ft to 3 ft, with short periods and cross-on winds ruining any shred of hope. It’s a lean run, but forecasts can change, and this spot is fairly consistent, so don’t give up just yet. Keep an eye on the mornings, and if that NW swell direction ever lines up with a clean offshore, we might be in business.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | W 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
61 | 33 | 25 | 23 | 56 | 14 | 5 | 50 | 49 | 47 | 50 | 50 | 58 | 127 | 111 | 113 | 111 | 101 | 212 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 3:42AM1.21m | 2:45PM1.83m | 3:57PM1.81m | 8:34AM1.36m | 5:14PM1.84m | 8:37AM1.43m | 6:15PM1.92m | 8:52AM1.49m | 7:02PM2.01m | 9:08AM1.54m | 7:41PM2.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:30PM0.80m | 7:13AM1.13m | 11:10PM0.74m | 00:27AM0.64m | 10:14AM1.35m | 1:18AM0.53m | 12:01PM1.32m | 1:56AM0.42m | 12:56PM1.25m | 2:27AM0.34m | 1:37PM1.16m | 2:55AM0.27m | |||||||
— | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 |
Feels °C | 20 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 16 | W 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | W 6 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 17 | W 7 |
61 | 33 | 217 | 23 | 118 | 118 | 115 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 11 | 30 | 120 | 16 | 57 | 42 | 31 | 101 | 131 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 14 | SSW 15 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | SW 18 | W 5 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 12 | SW 17 |
142 | 209 | 4 | 125 | 15 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 49 | 4 | 42 | 42 | 15 | 58 | 111 | 103 | 106 | 29 | 135 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 20 | — | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | W 12 | SW 18 | S 16 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 16 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 14 | SSW 13 |
15 | 16 | — | 13 | 56 | 14 | 3 | 50 | 21 | 47 | 50 | 50 | 58 | 127 | 20 | 113 | 111 | 37 | 58 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 |
— | — | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 10 | — | — | 14 | — | 58 | 52 | 212 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 1 | 117 | 1 | 1 | 117 | 2 | 2 | 62 | 2 | 2 | 41 | 1 | 67 | 117 | 0 | 72 | 117 | 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.











