Indicator Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° N 118.43° W

Indicator Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 09 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicator sea temperature is
22.6°C
3.7° 

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


Indicator surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period, SW swell with 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★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 2AM (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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be 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-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 17s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 10th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 17s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 10th 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. Let's chew over what we've got coming up for this spot, a reef and point setup that likes intermediate skill levels and needs a swell from the NW.

Honestly, the next two and a half weeks are looking pretty flat. We’re in for a long, dull stretch. The first real chance of anything surfable doesn't show up until Thursday morning, September 19th – that’s more than a week off.

Before that, it’s mostly tiny, weak, or messy. There’s a morning on Thursday, September 12th with a clean offshore breeze from the SE at 12 mph, but the swell is a pathetic 1.0 ft from the WSW. The combined wave energy is only 70 – you’d be hard-pressed to get wet. Sunday morning, September 15th offers a clean 1 ft SSW swell with light cross-offshore wind. The energy is a bit heftier at 130, but it’s still just ordinary ankle-snappers.

The best of the bunch lands on Saturday morning, September 19th. We’ve got a 2 ft SW groundswell with a very long 18-second period, and the wind is glassy. That’s a winner. The combined energy is a solid 225. That window is going to be glassy clean, and while it’s small, that long-period energy will wrap well into this reef and point setup. It’s the standout. Sunday morning the 20th is similar but with a light cross-onshore breeze and more energy at 299 still clean enough.

Crowds are listed as "sometimes" an issue, so on that Saturday morning, you might have some company.

The water is unusually warm, about 73°F, which is a massive 7°F above average for this time of year. That’s a very strange feeling.

So, sit tight. The best window to book off work is that Saturday morning, September 19th. It’s not a swell of the year, but it’s your best shot.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 21°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
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
2
0
1
2
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
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)
0.4
SW
16
0.7
W
4
0.6
SW
17
0.8
W
6
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.7
W
6
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SW
15
0.3
WSW
14
0.5
SW
14
1.1
W
7
0.4
SW
13
0.3
SW
19
0.8
W
7
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
91
15
232
47
306
295
38
176
171
37
100
126
63
58
58
108
108
106
90
88
87
Wind (km/h)
10
W
25
W
15
SSE
15
SE
10
SW
15
ESE
20
SE
10
SW
10
SE
20
SE
15
W
10
SE
10
SSE
15
WSW
15
SE
15
SE
10
S
10
SE
10
SSE
10
WSW
5
S
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
off
off
cross
cross-off
off
cross
off
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
glassy
High Tide
9:14AM1.86m
8:45PM2.27m
9:42AM1.96m
9:29PM2.19m
10:10AM2.04m
10:13PM2.04m
10:38AM2.08m
10:56PM1.86m
11:06AM2.08m
11:41PM1.67m
11:34AM2.05m
00:31AM1.48m
12:04PM1.98m
1:39AM1.31m
Low Tide
2:41PM0.76m
3:24AM0.17m
3:26PM0.63m
3:55AM0.29m
4:10PM0.54m
4:24AM0.45m
4:53PM0.50m
4:50AM0.63m
5:38PM0.51m
5:14AM0.81m
6:26PM0.56m
5:34AM0.98m
7:22PM0.64m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:35
6:35
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:07
7:07
7:06
7:04
7:02
7:01
7:00
 mm
Temp °C
30
30
30
24
24
23
22
22
22
21
21
21
21
22
21
21
21
20
20
20
20
Feels °C
31
28
27
24
25
25
21
22
24
20
22
22
22
22
21
21
21
21
20
20
21
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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