Indicator Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° N 118.43° W

Indicator Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicator sea temperature is
21.9° C
3.6° 

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


Indicator surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 24s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 19s period, SW swell with 546 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period. 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 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 16s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Mon 20th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 16s
Best Surf 8AM (Fri 24th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 24s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 26th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down the next couple of weeks.

We're looking at a pretty quiet stretch. The good news is we've got a little pulse of energy from a long-period swell that's gonna hit us, but it's gonna be a bumpy ride to get there. The water is sitting at a balmy 71°, which is way warmer than usual for this time of year – a solid 7° above normal.

That first proper window of clean surf is on Sunday, July 19th. We've got a small 2ft groundswell, and it's a beauty of a long-period swell at 17 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 244. The wind is a light cross-off from the south, so the lineup is gonna be clean. It's a reef and point setup, so that long period will wrap in nicely. The crowds are a possibility here, but for a Sunday morning with only 2ft surf, it shouldn't be a zoo. It's not a stand-out size, but it's the best we've got right now.

After that, we hit a massive dry spell. From Sunday afternoon right through to the morning of the 28th, it's pretty much nothing but poor surf conditions. The wind is mostly onshore and choppy, or the swell is just too tiny and weak. There's a couple of mornings with light offshore winds, but the swell is just a flat ripple. You're looking at a solid eight days of no-go.

Now, we start to see something interesting on the 28th. The morning of the 28th, we get a 3ft swell from the SW with a 17-second period. The combined energy is strong at 587 and the wind is just a light cross. It's a "marginal" call, but it's the first real energy we've seen in a while. The wind is light, which is the big positive. This is a long-period groundswell, so it'll be bigger on the sets, with long lulls in between. Keep that in mind.

The 29th is a bit of a letdown – the swell drops to 3ft with a shorter period of 8 seconds and the wind is onshore. The 30th morning has a clean offshore wind from the SE, but the swell is back down to 2ft. It's clean, but small.

If I'm being honest, nothing in this window is a true standout. The best bet is to be patient. The Sunday the 19th morning is the only real window for a clean, fun, small wave. After that, it's a long wait. The end of the month has bigger energy, but the wind is a problem. If the wind co-operates on the 28th, that could be a sneaky good session, but it's a long shot this far out.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.4
W
5
0.6
SW
16
0.5
SW
13
0.4
W
5
0.4
W
5
0.7
W
6
0.6
W
5
0.6
W
5
1.2
W
7
0.8
W
6
0.3
SW
26
1.1
W
7
0.8
W
6
0.5
W
6
0.6
SW
21
0.6
W
6
0.6
SW
21
0.9
SW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
235
235
211
7
201
84
8
7
32
21
18
131
48
105
107
46
15
368
24
355
546
Wind (km/h)
10
S
15
WSW
10
SSW
10
S
20
WSW
10
S
10
SSE
20
WSW
5
SSE
10
S
25
W
5
SSW
10
WSW
25
W
10
S
10
SSE
20
W
10
SSE
5
SW
20
W
10
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
off
High Tide
2:26PM1.87m
2:15AM1.47m
3:13PM1.88m
3:50AM1.29m
4:03PM1.89m
6:02AM1.24m
4:56PM1.91m
7:48AM1.30m
5:49PM1.95m
8:41AM1.38m
6:37PM2.01m
9:13AM1.43m
7:20PM2.08m
Low Tide
8:48PM0.94m
8:14AM0.79m
10:19PM0.87m
8:52AM0.98m
11:46PM0.76m
9:41AM1.13m
00:52AM0.62m
10:52AM1.23m
1:41AM0.50m
12:05PM1.26m
2:20AM0.39m
1:01PM1.24m
2:54AM0.31m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:56
5:56
5:56
5:58
5:58
5:58
6:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:02
8:01
8:01
8:00
8:00
8:00
7:59
 mm
Temp °C
19
21
21
21
23
22
22
23
21
22
23
22
23
23
22
22
22
21
22
23
22
Feels °C
20
20
21
22
21
20
22
21
19
22
22
20
23
21
21
22
22
21
23
22
21
  • 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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