
Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 14 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, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SW swell with 338 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. 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 0.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 11AM. 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+) | 5PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got the lowdown on the surf ahead. Right off the bat, let’s be straight with you: this stretch is not looking like a classic run. We’ve got a lot of small, weak swell and a fair bit of onshore wind mucking things up, so you’re gonna have to pick your moments. The water is sitting at a balmy 23° which is a fair bit warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s a notable jump, so you can probably leave the steamer at home.
The opening days are pretty bleak. Monday and Tuesday are seeing tiny surf, around the 0.3m to 0.4m mark. The energy in the water is weak, with 96 to 122 on the combined scale, and while the mornings are clean, there’s just no power behind them. It’s a real struggle just to get a slide. The swell direction is hanging in the SW, but it’s just not doing us any favors.
We’ve got a bit of a flat spell through Wednesday and Thursday, with wave heights dipping right down. The energy levels are bottoming out, sometimes into single digits (10 on Wednesday morning), and a lot of the afternoons are getting chopped up by cross-onshore winds. It’s looking more like a lake than an ocean on Thursday afternoon with that 20 km/h W breeze.
Finally, Friday morning on the 18th shows a little pulse of life. We’re still only looking at 0.5m, but the period jumps up to 19 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, and the energy ticks up to 205. It’s clean with a light southerly breeze, so the lines will be there, just not a lot of push. It’s the kind of day where you’re groveling on a longboard, but at least it’s not closing out.
Saturday morning the 19th is more of the same – 0.6m, still a 18-second period, and clean with that light S wind. It’s surfable, but you’re really working for every little crumb.
Now, here’s the one and only standout in the whole 16-day forecast. It’s Sunday morning, the 21st of September. Finally, we get a bit of size bump up to a cleaner 0.8m, and importantly, the energy is pushing up to 371. The swell is still from the SW, but the period is a solid 17 seconds, and we have a gentle offshore breeze from the SE. This is the best shape we’re going to see. It’s clean, it’s got a bit more push, and the conditions are as good as it gets. This is your session to get out. It’s not huge, but it’s clean and lined up. The crowd might be around, but for a wave like this, it’ll be worth it.
After Sunday, it drops back off again. Swell sizes stay in the 0.4m to 0.6m range, and the winds turn mostly cross-on or onshore, making things messy. The energy stays moderate (in the 160 to 220 range) but the quality is just poor. A few mornings are cleaner, like the 28th and the 29th, but the surf is still pretty ordinary.
Honestly, this run is a grind. There is one solid morning on the 21st that’s your best bet. Other than that, it’s a lot of small, weak, and choppy conditions. If the winds are too messy on the afternoon on-shore days, it’s probably a better day to sort out your gear than to chase a wave.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 18°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 16 | W 9 | SW 16 | WSW 6 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 21 | SW 14 | W 4 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
48 | 108 | 106 | 90 | 39 | 39 | 10 | 37 | 33 | 71 | 32 | 6 | 184 | 184 | 131 | 199 | 252 | 199 | 252 | 252 | 241 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 11:34AM2.05m | 00:31AM1.48m | 12:04PM1.98m | 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 | |||||||||
Low Tide | 6:26PM0.56m | 5:34AM0.98m | 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 | ||||||||||
6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 9 | W 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 6 | SW 19 | W 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
31 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 39 | 11 | 200 | 59 | 86 | 144 | 74 | 121 | 21 | 184 | 41 | 199 | 252 | 50 | 38 | 36 | 78 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 6 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 21 | S 12 | W 4 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
48 | 108 | 106 | 90 | 64 | 39 | 10 | 37 | 33 | 71 | 25 | 6 | 184 | 61 | 69 | 21 | 55 | 199 | 252 | 252 | 241 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | S 9 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 21 | SSW 14 | S 11 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
17 | 29 | 14 | 15 | 75 | 35 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 20 | 32 | 110 | 69 | 21 | 131 | 58 | 18 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 21 | — | — | 15 | — | — | 81 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 148 | 15 | 166 | 62 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 0 |
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.










