
Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s period, SW swell with 73 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Aug 04) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicator in the next 16 days are 0.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 14s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at this stretch of water. Honestly, mate, it’s a pretty grim run for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a 16-day window here, and I’m struggling to find a single session that’s worth paddling out for. The surf is flat to tiny, the wind is mostly junk, and the energy just isn’t there.
The first real chance of anything rideable is a ghost of a chance around the 11th of August, but even then it’s weak. The combined swell energy is a meagre 146 on Tuesday afternoon, then climbs to 179 on Wednesday morning, but that’s still just moderate energy at best. The swell is coming from the SW, with a period around 18 seconds – that’s a long-period groundswell, which at a point break like this can sometimes wrap in nicely, but the size is only 2ft. It’s not enough to get excited about. The wind is light and cross-shore, so the surface might be okay, but the waves themselves are just too small to do anything with. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing weird.
Further out, the 13th of August sees a bump in energy to 217 and 226, but again, it’s a 2ft SW swell with a 16-second period. The wind on that Thursday afternoon is a moderate 16 mph cross-onshore, so it’s going to be a choppy mess. Too small for the paddle, too messy for the kite.
Honestly, for this spot, a blank run like this is more normal than not. The conditions just aren’t lining up. Keep your gear waxed and your eyes on the forecast – it can’t stay this quiet forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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 5 | W 6 | SW 15 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 18 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
7 | 16 | 33 | 21 | 26 | 16 | 17 | 26 | 49 | 34 | 42 | 41 | 41 | 60 | 56 | 73 | 70 | 70 | 69 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:17PM2.17m | 11:45AM1.67m | 10:51PM2.06m | 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 | ||||||
Low Tide | 5:19AM0.27m | 4:52PM0.99m | 5:43AM0.37m | 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 | |||||||
— | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | W 5 | W 6 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 15 | W 6 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 4 |
213 | 269 | 166 | 21 | 26 | 99 | 17 | 26 | 31 | 34 | 24 | 42 | 23 | 15 | 56 | 17 | 70 | 70 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | W 6 | SW 15 | S 11 | S 13 | W 6 | SSW 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 12 | SW 14 | W 5 | SSW 11 | SW 14 |
72 | 16 | 33 | 57 | 85 | 16 | 32 | 47 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 41 | 38 | 60 | 38 | 73 | 9 | 12 | 69 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | — | — | SW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | S 11 | SW 16 | SW 12 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SW 20 |
7 | — | — | 52 | 55 | 32 | 55 | 30 | 49 | 28 | 42 | 9 | 41 | 37 | 8 | 2 | 13 | 3 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 3 | — |
— | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | — | — | 18 | — | — | 5 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 62 | 117 | 2 | 2 | 54 | 2 | 2 | 62 | 2 | 2 | 54 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 62 | 18 |
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.











