Indicator Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° N 118.43° W

Indicator Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 06 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicator sea temperature is
22.3°C
3.3° 

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


Indicator surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SW swell with 306 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s is also forecast. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 13s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Wed 9th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 17s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 9th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 17s
Most Powerful 5PM (Thu 10th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the same stretch of coast in feet and miles per hour for you.

We’re looking at a reef and point spot that works best for intermediate surfers, picking up swell from the northwest. The water is about 72°F right now, which is running much warmer than normal for this time of year – about 6°F above average, so you’ll be fine in boardshorts or a spring suit.

The first week is a real bummer. From the 6th through the 10th of September, it’s mostly flat and messy. The swell is tiny, often under 2ft, and the wind is all over the place – cross-on, cross-off, you name it. The combined energy is weak, mostly under 100 (35). Not worth paddling out.

Things get a little better from the 11th. Friday morning the 11th has a clean offshore wind from the SE, with a 2ft swell from the west. Energy is still low (45), but it’s clean. That afternoon, the swell picks up to 2ft from the SW with a 15-second period, and the energy hits 193 (moderate). The wind is light and cross-off, so it’s clean but still just ordinary. Saturday the 12th morning is similar – 2ft from the SW, 14-second period, clean offshore SE wind, and moderate energy (155). Surfable, but nothing special.

The one to save for is Monday the 21st of September. Monday morning is glassy. The wind is from the SSW at just 3 mph, dead calm. The swell is 3ft from the SW with a long 17-second period, and the energy is a solid 370 (moderate). That’s a proper groundswell wrapping into a reef and point. The water will still be warm, and the crowds? This spot gets crowded sometimes, so with glassy conditions like that, you’ll have company. But it’s the best session of the whole 16-day window. The afternoon gets blown out with a cross-on, so get out there early.

The week before that, from the 14th to the 20th, there are a few clean mornings with small swell (1ft to 3ft) and moderate energy, but the wind is often cross or cross-on. The 14th afternoon has a 4ft swell from the west with 346 energy, but it’s cross-shore and only marginal. The 20th Sunday afternoon has a 3ft swell and 427 energy, but it’s cross-on and choppy. Nothing beats that Monday morning glass.

For beginners, that 3ft swell on the 21st is perfect. It never gets over 5ft in the whole run, so it’s manageable for most. The long period means longer lulls between sets, but cleaner, more powerful waves. Just watch out for the crowd.

Get your board ready for Monday the 21st of September, first light. That’s the call.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Tue night, min 21°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
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)
0.3
SW
11
0.2
WSW
10
0.4
WNW
3
0.5
W
4
0.5
W
4
0.3
SW
18
0.3
SW
18
0.5
W
4
0.3
W
4
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SW
17
0.5
SW
9
0.8
SW
16
1
W
7
0.7
W
6
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SW
15
0.5
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
0.5
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
18
10
4
6
9
49
50
10
3
133
232
36
306
93
38
174
171
102
100
97
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
10
WNW
10
WNW
20
W
15
WNW
15
W
30
W
5
SSW
15
SSW
15
WSW
5
S
5
S
15
WSW
10
ESE
15
SE
10
S
15
ESE
15
SE
10
WSW
15
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross
off
High Tide
6:07PM2.15m
8:18AM1.63m
7:07PM2.25m
8:46AM1.75m
7:58PM2.29m
9:14AM1.86m
8:45PM2.27m
9:42AM1.96m
9:29PM2.19m
10:10AM2.04m
10:13PM2.04m
10:38AM2.08m
10:56PM1.86m
Low Tide
1:35AM0.17m
1:01PM1.09m
2:15AM0.11m
1:54PM0.92m
2:51AM0.11m
2:41PM0.76m
3:24AM0.17m
3:26PM0.63m
3:55AM0.29m
4:10PM0.54m
4:24AM0.45m
4:53PM0.50m
4:50AM0.63m
heavy rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:31
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:13
7:10
7:09
7:07
7:07
7:06
7:04
 mm
17
2
Temp °C
23
23
24
24
26
27
27
28
27
26
25
25
25
24
23
23
23
22
22
22
Feels °C
24
25
25
23
23
25
24
25
26
25
23
26
25
25
23
24
24
23
23
24
  • 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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