
Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 99 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 5AM (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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicator in the next 16 days are 0.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 5AM. 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 13s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let’s be real – this forecast is a total bummer. We’re staring down a long, flat spell for the Indicator (reef and point) break. The water is a freakishly warm 73°F, way above the norm for this time of year, which is about the only interesting thing going on.
Don’t expect any waves for the first week and a half. The first tiny flicker of a pulse shows up on Thursday, August 13. Early that morning, we get a 2ft swell from the SW, with a moderate energy reading (210). The wind is light and cross-offshore, so the surface will be glassy. It’s rideable, but barely. It’s the same story on Friday, August 14: 2ft from the SW, light offshore winds, and energy dropping to 117. Still very, very ordinary.
The problem is that the swell is tiny across the entire 16-day window, never even reaching 3ft. The periods are mostly short, under 8 seconds, offering no power. Even when we get a few days with a longer period of 15-18 seconds, it’s attached to a wave with zero height, so it won’t do a thing. The combined swell energy sits in the low triple digits at best, a clear sign the ocean is flat.
There is no standout session here. Not one. This is a total drought for a spot that is usually fairly consistent. The only upside is clean, light winds on the early mornings, but with nothing to surf, that’s just a tease. If you’re desperate, the morning of Thursday, August 13 is your best (and only) shot, but you’ll be paddling for ankle-biters.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | SW 18 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
18 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 49 | 16 | 42 | 41 | 41 | 60 | 56 | 73 | 70 | 70 | 69 | 62 | 61 | 61 | 84 | 59 | 22 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:12PM1.72m | 11:27PM1.90m | 12:39PM1.78m | 00:09AM1.71m | 1:11PM1.84m | 1:01AM1.50m | 1:50PM1.90m | 2:20AM1.30m | 2:41PM1.96m | 4:37AM1.19m | 3:46PM2.02m | 6:58AM1.26m | 5:00PM2.12m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:36PM0.97m | 6:07AM0.49m | 6:27PM0.94m | 6:31AM0.64m | 7:30PM0.91m | 6:57AM0.79m | 8:51PM0.85m | 7:27AM0.94m | 10:28PM0.73m | 8:11AM1.09m | 11:56PM0.54m | 9:38AM1.20m | 1:01AM0.33m | ||||||||
6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 13 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 12 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 14 | W 5 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 |
18 | 99 | 32 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 42 | 20 | 13 | 37 | 17 | 13 | 70 | 12 | 62 | 61 | 61 | 146 | 143 | 174 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SSW 10 | W 5 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
85 | 32 | 8 | 47 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 41 | 38 | 37 | 56 | 73 | 70 | 13 | 69 | 8 | 4 | 81 | 84 | 59 | 22 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | W 5 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | S 11 | SW 16 | SW 15 | — | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 9 | SW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | W 4 | W 4 | W 12 | SSW 13 |
55 | 9 | 46 | 30 | 49 | 28 | 42 | 9 | 41 | 60 | — | 2 | 13 | 2 | 15 | 37 | 39 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 35 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | — | — | 14 | — | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 62 | 2 | 2 | 62 | 2 | 2 | 41 | 2 | 2 | 117 | 2 | 2 | 166 | 20 | 2 | 117 | 1 | 1 | 117 | 1 |
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.











