Indicator Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° N 118.43° W

Indicator Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 04 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicator sea temperature is
22.6° C
4.0° 

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


Indicator surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 18s period, SW swell with 154 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s. 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 0.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 16s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Thu 6th Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 13s
Best Surf11PM (Thu 6th Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 13s
Most Powerful 5PM (Tue 11th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the next 16 days for this spot. To be honest, it’s a pretty flat and quiet run. The first week is basically a write-off; we’ve got a solid stretch of small, weak swell and not much to get excited about. The bulk of the period is dominated by tiny, poor surf with a lot of cross-shore or cross-onshore chop. There’s a glimmer of something better in the second week, but we’ve got to wait for it.

The only real recommendation comes from the Indicator break, a reef and point setup that’s fairly consistent with an optimum swell from the NW. The water temp is about average for the time of year, no big anomaly worth shoutin’ about right now.

So, let’s get into it. For the first week, from Wednesday the 5th right through to Monday the 10th, it’s all poor surf. Swell heights are tiny, mostly 0.7 ft to 2 ft, and the combined energy is weak, with values like 75 (Wednesday morning) and even dropping to 2 or 3 on the Saturday and Sunday. The wind is mostly cross or cross-off, but the waves just aren’t there. You’re better off stayin’ home.

Tuesday the 11th sees a tiny bump, with a swell of 1.0 ft in the morning and 2 ft in the afternoon, but the period jumps to 18 seconds. That’s a long period groundswell, but with such small height it’s barely surfable. The afternoon energy does hit 154 (moderate), but it’s still poor. The wind is light and cross-off in the morning, so it’s clean, but the waves are just too small.

Now, Wednesday the 12th starts to look a bit more interesting. The morning has a 2 ft swell from the SW with a 17-second period, and the combined energy is 170 (moderate). The conditions are “surfable waves but very ordinary,” and the wind is light and cross-off, so it’s clean. This is the first day where you might actually get a wave if you’re patient. The long period means it’s better suited for this point break, as the swell will wrap in nicely. It’s not a standout, but it’s the best we’ve seen so far.

Thursday the 13th morning is similar, with 2 ft from the SW, 16-second period, and energy of 128 (moderate). Again, clean with a light cross-off breeze. It’s still small, but it’s surfable. The afternoon goes to poor with cross-on wind.

Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th mornings keep the same pattern: 2 ft from the SW, some 15 to 14-second period, and moderate energy (117 and 102). Clean conditions in the mornings. The afternoons get blown out with cross-on wind from the W, up to 16 mph, so get your session in early.

From Sunday the 16th through to Thursday the 20th, the swell direction shifts to the W, and the height stays around 2 ft to 3 ft, but the period drops to 4 to 7 seconds. That’s short period, weak windswell, and the combined energy is weak to moderate (3 to 97). The mornings are often clean, but the wave quality is poor. The best of this last stretch is Thursday the 20th morning, with a 3 ft swell from the W, 7-second period, and energy of 97. The wind is light and cross-off, so it’s clean. But it’s short period, so it’ll be a bit crumbly and not much power.

Honestly, the standout here is the Indicator break on Wednesday the 12th morning. It’s the first day where the swell has a bit of energy (170) and the long period (17 seconds) from the SW will give you some proper lines on that reef and point. The wind is light and cross-off, so it’ll be clean. It’s not big, at 2 ft, so it’s perfect for intermediates and beginners alike. The only downside is that crowds are sometimes a problem, so you might have to share the peak.

If you can wait, Thursday the 20th morning also has potential, with a 3 ft swell from the W, but it’s short period (7 seconds) and the energy is only moderate (97). It’s a clean option, but it’s not as good as that 12th.

Overall, it’s a lean period. The first week is a total dud, and the second week offers a few small, clean windows. The 12th morning is your best bet if you’re keen.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

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

Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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
0.4
SW
14
0.4
SW
14
0.4
SW
14
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.3
WSW
4
0.3
W
4
0.3
W
4
0.4
WSW
4
0.3
SW
11
0.3
W
4
0.3
SW
11
0.2
W
5
0.3
WSW
5
0.3
W
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
102
71
70
69
62
61
60
83
59
3
3
3
6
19
3
19
2
5
25
Wind (km/h)
5
WNW
10
SW
20
SW
10
SW
10
SSW
15
SW
5
SE
10
SSW
15
WSW
5
SW
10
SW
15
W
5
SW
5
SSW
10
SW
15
SE
15
SSE
10
SSW
0
SSE
Wind State
glassy
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
2:20AM1.30m
2:41PM1.96m
4:37AM1.19m
3:46PM2.02m
6:58AM1.26m
5:00PM2.12m
8:01AM1.37m
6:08PM2.25m
8:40AM1.49m
7:09PM2.37m
9:15AM1.59m
8:03PM2.46m
Low Tide
8:51PM0.85m
7:27AM0.94m
10:28PM0.73m
8:11AM1.09m
11:56PM0.54m
9:38AM1.20m
1:01AM0.33m
11:25AM1.23m
1:53AM0.15m
12:45PM1.17m
2:38AM0.01m
1:46PM1.06m
3:19AM-0.06m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:07
6:09
6:09
6:11
6:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:50
7:49
7:47
7:46
7:45
7:45
 mm
Temp °C
19
20
21
20
20
21
21
22
22
21
22
23
22
23
22
21
22
23
21
Feels °C
19
21
20
19
20
20
22
23
22
22
23
22
22
24
22
21
24
24
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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