Indicator Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° N 118.43° W

Indicator Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicator sea temperature is
22.7°C
3.9° 

Indicator surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Indicator surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with 199 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s 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 (Sep 12) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Indicator in the next 16 days are 0.6m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy 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 TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Sat 12th Sep)1.5ft (0.5m) 14s
Best Surf 2PM (Sat 12th Sep)1.5ft (0.5m) 14s
Most Powerful11AM (Sat 19th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s take a look at what’s headin’ our way for this reef and point spot – it’s a fairly consistent break that needs a good NW swell direction to really fire, and the wind’s gotta cooperate from the SE to keep things clean. I gotta level with you: the first week and a half is basically a dud. Tiny, gutless waves with no punch. The first proper opportunity shows up on Saturday the 19th of September, but it’s still pretty ordinary.

Saturday the 19th of September – The morning edges up a little. Swell around 2ft from the SW with a long period of 18 seconds – proper groundswell, which suits this setup. Wind is glassy, so the surface is smooth, but the combined wave energy is only moderate at 235. It’s surfable, not special. Afternoon gets messy with a cross-onshore wind, so forget it.

Sunday the 20th of September – This is the pick of the forecast. Same 2ft swell from the SW, 18-second period, and a light offshore breeze from the SSE at 6 mph. Clean, well-defined waves. The combined energy climbs to 311 (moderate), and the call is *good surf conditions*. This is your session – get out early. Afternoon cross-onshore wind blows it out again.

Monday the 21st of September – Another solid morning. Swell a touch bigger at 2ft from the SW, 17-second period, with a light SSE offshore at 6 mph. Combined energy 322 (moderate) – clean again for the dawn crew. Not as crisp as Sunday but a fine backup. Afternoon’s a write-off.

The rest of the second week falls apart. Small, weak swells with poor onshore or cross-onshore wind. By Friday the 25th, swell drops to 1ft and barely registers. There’s a last gasp on Sunday the 27th of September morning with 1ft from the SW, light cross-offshore breeze, and combined energy of 128 – you can paddle out but don’t expect much. Crowds are *sometimes* an issue, so expect a few locals on the clean mornings.

Summary: Your two real windows are Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st of September, mornings. The rest is flat, chopped up, or both. Water temp is 73°F – that’s about 7°F warmer than usual for this time of year, so leave the thick rubber at home.

Keep your eyes on the horizon.
– Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.3
SW
19
0.6
W
7
1.2
W
8
0.3
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.3
SW
16
0.3
W
5
0.3
W
5
0.3
SW
14
0.3
SW
21
0.3
SW
21
0.6
W
5
0.5
SW
19
0.5
SW
19
0.4
SW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
103
100
96
63
35
167
48
108
106
90
88
39
5
5
32
71
72
15
184
184
131
Wind (km/h)
15
SSE
20
W
5
S
10
SSE
15
W
15
SE
20
SE
10
SSE
15
SE
10
SSE
10
SSW
5
SSE
10
SSW
15
WSW
10
W
5
WSW
25
W
10
W
10
W
20
W
5
SSW
Wind State
off
cross-on
glassy
off
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
10:38AM2.08m
10:56PM1.86m
11:06AM2.08m
11:41PM1.67m
11:34AM2.05m
00:31AM1.48m
12:04PM1.98m
1:39AM1.31m
12:38PM1.89m
4:30AM1.23m
1:26PM1.80m
2:47PM1.73m
Low Tide
4:53PM0.50m
4:50AM0.63m
5:38PM0.51m
5:14AM0.81m
6:26PM0.56m
5:34AM0.98m
7:22PM0.64m
5:47AM1.12m
8:36PM0.71m
10:17PM0.72m
11:43PM0.65m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:37
6:37
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:04
7:02
7:01
7:00
6:59
6:57
6:55
 mm
Temp °C
22
23
22
22
23
22
22
22
22
21
21
20
20
21
20
20
21
21
22
23
22
Feels °C
24
25
22
23
23
22
21
22
24
21
21
21
22
21
20
21
20
19
22
21
21
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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