
Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 20s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 20s period, SW swell with 552 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 20s 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 20s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. 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 0.9m 20s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 14s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 20s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 20s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 20s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve scanned the charts and, to be honest, I’m struggling to find any real reason to wax up in this region over the next 16 days. The swell windows are just not open. There’s no genuine surf on offer, just a string of marginal to poor conditions that make it hard to get excited. The only faint glimmer of something rideable is on Saturday the 25th of July, but even then, it’s a tough sell.
The first and only hint of a wave shows up Saturday afternoon, the 25th of July. We’ve got a tiny 2 ft swell out of the southwest, with a surprisingly long period of 21 seconds. That’s proper long-period groundswell energy (combined energy 372), which usually points to better shaped waves, but the real problem is the direction. This break, a reef and point setup, needs swell from the northwest to really light up, and we’re getting the opposite. That southwest swell is wrapping in at an awkward angle, so it won’t hold its shape. The wind is a light cross-shore from the southwest at 6 mph, so it’s not wrecking it, but it’s not helping either. Water temp is a balmy 72°, which is 7° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual, a real anomaly. But for all that, the wave comment says it’s marginal. This is a day for the dedicated longboarder who just wants a paddle, not for anyone chasing quality. It’s the only blip on the radar, and it’s a weak one.
After that, it’s a dead zone. From Sunday the 26th of July all the way through to Sunday the 9th of August, every single entry is marked as poor surf conditions with a score of zero. That’s a brutal stretch of nearly two weeks with nothing. Even the early August period shows swell heights barely cracking 2 ft, with short, weak periods of 6-7 seconds and cross-shore or onshore winds that will leave the surface messy. The energy readings are tiny, mostly in the teens or low double digits – weak stuff. The winds are light to moderate, but the swell just isn’t there. A few mornings, like Tuesday the 28th of July, have a light offshore, but with only 2 ft of weak swell at a 7-second period, it’s not worth a paddle. For the beach-break setups here, conditions look more suited to a kite surfer than a paddle surfer, with the wind and small chop.
In short, this region is flat-lining. There are no standouts. If you’re desperate for a session, that Saturday arvo the 25th is your only remote chance, but don’t expect much. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game – forecasts can change, and a blank run like this is normal for the area, but for now, leave the board in the shed.
Stay patient,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 21 | SW 19 | W 6 | W 7 | SW 18 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 17 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 15 | W 5 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
355 | 546 | 28 | 21 | 455 | 32 | 31 | 414 | 42 | 31 | 44 | 31 | 20 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 18 | 33 | 21 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | on | off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:20PM2.08m | 9:40AM1.48m | 8:00PM2.16m | 10:04AM1.51m | 8:36PM2.22m | 10:29AM1.54m | 9:11PM2.25m | 10:54AM1.58m | 9:44PM2.23m | 11:20AM1.62m | 10:17PM2.17m | 11:45AM1.67m | 10:51PM2.06m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:54AM0.31m | 1:45PM1.20m | 3:26AM0.24m | 2:23PM1.14m | 3:56AM0.20m | 2:59PM1.09m | 4:25AM0.19m | 3:35PM1.05m | 4:53AM0.21m | 4:12PM1.01m | 5:19AM0.27m | 4:52PM0.99m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | W 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 |
355 | 546 | 480 | 413 | 455 | 553 | 610 | 76 | 528 | 510 | 417 | 318 | 397 | 357 | 181 | 264 | 469 | 496 | 460 | 355 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 10 | SW 17 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 15 | W 5 |
17 | 20 | 28 | 21 | 44 | 32 | 9 | 414 | 42 | 31 | 44 | 186 | 222 | 147 | 215 | 142 | 11 | 18 | 33 | 21 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | W 10 | S 10 | SW 9 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | — | — | SSE 8 | — | W 21 |
47 | 14 | 27 | 24 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 27 | 50 | 89 | 31 | 20 | 12 | 11 | — | — | 24 | — | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | 9 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 62 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 62 | 0 | 1 | 62 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 117 | 2 | 166 | 117 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Los Angeles County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










