Indicator Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° N 118.43° W

Indicator Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 21 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicator sea temperature is
21.9° C
3.6° 

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


Indicator surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 24s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 19s period, SW swell with 546 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period with W 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 (Jul 23) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Indicator in the next 16 days are 0.9m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 18s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 23rd Jul)5ft (1.5m) 7s
Best Surf 8AM (Fri 24th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 24s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 26th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for this stretch of coast. It’s a bit of a quiet start, so strap in.

We’re lookin’ at a real slow burn for the first few days. From Tuesday the 21st right through to Thursday the 24th, the ocean’s pretty much flat or just messy with small, weak, and choppy stuff. No recommendations worth paddlin’ out for. The water temp is sittin’ around 71°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – a real surprise for the skin.

Friday morning the 24th is where things start to clean up. We’ve got a light offshore breeze from the SE, and the swell is a tiny 3 ft from the west, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined swell energy is low (56). It’s small, and it’s clean, but it’s not really gonna get your heart pumpin’. Still, there’s a glimmer.

The first real standout window sneaks in on Saturday afternoon the 25th. The Indicator (reef and point) comes alive with a 2 ft swell from the SW, but the period jumps to 21 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. The combined energy reading is 372, which is moderate. The wind is light from the S, so it’s clean. This is a proper point and reef setup, so that long-period energy will wrap in nicely. It’s a fairly consistent spot, and with that offshore wind, it’ll be glassy. You’ll want to be an intermediate for this one. Crowds are possible on a weekend, but with the size, it should be manageable.

The absolute best on offer is Monday morning the 27th. The Indicator has a 3 ft swell from the SW, but the period is 18 seconds – more of that long-period goodness. The combined energy jumps to 481, a solid moderate energy. The wind is a gentle offshore from the SSE, meaning it’ll be clean as a whistle. This is the pick of the forecast. The swell direction is bang on for the optimum NW direction for this spot, the waves will have shape, and the offshore breeze is a major positive. It’s a standout.

After that, the window closes. Tuesday afternoon the 28th has a bit of energy (3 ft from the SW, 17 seconds, 475 energy), but it’s just a light cross-shore, not as clean. Then from Wednesday the 29th all the way through to Sunday the 2nd of August, it’s back to small, weak, and mostly messy. There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendations.

There’s a faint whisper of something on Tuesday the 4th of August. The morning session shows a 1 ft swell from the SW with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is 101. It’s clean, but it’s tiny. The Wednesday morning the 5th of August is similar, with 1 ft from the SW and 147 energy. These are surfable, but very ordinary. If you’re desperate, you could get a longboard out, but it’s not worth the hype.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is mostly a write-off. Saturday afternoon the 25th and Monday morning the 27th are the only real highlights. Get out there for that Monday morning session – it’s the best we’ve got.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 21°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
AM
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
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
2
2
0
0
0
2
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)
0.1
W
13
0.4
W
3
0.6
W
4
0.5
SW
8
1
W
5
1.5
W
7
1
W
7
0.3
SW
26
1.2
W
7
0.8
W
7
0.7
W
6
0.6
SW
21
0.6
W
6
0.6
SW
21
0.9
SW
19
0.5
W
6
0.5
W
6
0.5
W
6
0.9
SW
18
0.5
SW
11
0.5
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
4
3
10
32
57
223
89
105
150
56
40
368
27
355
546
18
19
18
460
58
71
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
25
W
20
W
15
WSW
25
WSW
5
WSW
10
WSW
20
WSW
5
SSE
15
SE
10
SSW
10
SE
10
SSE
15
S
5
S
10
SSW
15
WSW
15
SE
15
SSE
10
SW
5
SW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
4:03PM1.89m
6:02AM1.24m
4:56PM1.91m
7:48AM1.30m
5:49PM1.95m
8:41AM1.38m
6:37PM2.01m
9:13AM1.43m
7:20PM2.08m
9:40AM1.48m
8:00PM2.16m
10:04AM1.51m
8:36PM2.22m
Low Tide
8:52AM0.98m
11:46PM0.76m
9:41AM1.13m
00:52AM0.62m
10:52AM1.23m
1:41AM0.50m
12:05PM1.26m
2:20AM0.39m
1:01PM1.24m
2:54AM0.31m
1:45PM1.20m
3:26AM0.24m
2:23PM1.14m
3:56AM0.20m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:56
5:58
5:58
5:58
6:00
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:01
8:00
8:00
8:00
7:59
7:58
7:58
 mm
Temp °C
21
22
22
20
22
22
22
23
23
22
22
22
22
22
21
23
24
23
22
22
21
Feels °C
22
21
21
21
20
21
22
22
23
22
22
24
23
22
22
24
24
24
23
22
22
  • 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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