Indicator Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° N 118.43° W

Indicator Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indicator sea temperature is
21.0° C
3.0° 

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


Indicator surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with 252 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s 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 (Jul 14) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 0.6m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 13s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 14th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 18s
Best Surf 2PM (Sat 18th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 18s
Most Powerful 2PM (Sat 18th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, giving you the goods for this spot. Let’s be straight with you—this is a tricky stretch. The surf is small and inconsistent for most of the 16 days, so you’ll need to pick your moments carefully.

Right off the bat, Monday July 13th is a total write-off. Nothing doing. The swell is tiny and the wind is messy. Forget it. This dry spell carries on through Tuesday July 14th. We’re looking at a few days of flat, choppy junk.

The first real glimmer shows up on Wednesday morning, July 15th. It’s not much, but we get a glassy window with a 1 ft SW swell, period 18 seconds. That long period means the wave energy is moderate (163) but the sets will be slow and lined up. This is a reef and point setup, so that long period is actually a good thing—it’ll wrap in and give a clean little wave. The water is 70°, which is a whopping 5° warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s very unusual, so you’re in for a warm bath.

Thursday morning, July 16th, is your next best bet. Offshore wind from the SE at 9 mph, clean conditions, and the same 1 ft SW swell (16 sec period, 169 energy). It’s still small, but for a point break with that direction, it’ll be rideable and tidy.

The little pulse picks up slightly on Saturday July 18th and Sunday July 19th. Swell bumps to 2 ft from the SW, period 18-17 seconds, with moderate energy in the 226-259 range. Winds are light and cross-off in the mornings, so those sessions will be clean. But by Sunday afternoon, the wind swings cross-on and it gets choppy.

Then, from Monday July 20th all the way through to Monday July 27th, it’s a real slog. The swell drops, the period tanks to 5-6 seconds, and the energy is weak (8-87). That’s basically windswell junk. The wind is all over the place, and the quality is poor. This is a solid 8-day gap with nothing worth paddling out for.

The final bright spot, and the standout of the whole outlook, is Tuesday afternoon, July 28th. We get a late pulse: 2 ft SW swell, period 16 seconds, with moderate energy (215) and a clean offshore breeze from the SSE at 9 mph. For a reef and point, that’s clean, lined-up, and surfable. It’s the one afternoon to circle on your calendar if you’re chasing the tiniest window of fun.

Overall, the best of a poor bunch is Wednesday July 15th morning (glassy, long period, warm water) and Tuesday July 28th afternoon (offshore, clean, slightly more energy). The rest is a long, flat wait.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

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

Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
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
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
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)
0.1
SW
21
0.3
SW
19
0.3
SW
19
0.3
SW
19
0.3
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
16
1.2
W
7
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.9
W
7
0.4
SW
14
0.4
SW
14
0.4
SW
15
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.3
SW
13
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
18
59
59
58
49
109
108
95
155
89
88
82
54
74
76
192
201
27
235
238
214
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
20
W
10
W
10
W
25
W
10
SSE
5
SSW
20
W
15
SE
15
SE
10
SSE
20
ESE
20
SE
15
SE
20
SE
10
SSE
15
SSW
10
SE
10
SSW
15
WSW
10
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
off
glassy
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
10:13AM1.58m
8:57PM2.59m
10:55AM1.64m
9:47PM2.56m
11:36AM1.70m
10:36PM2.45m
12:18PM1.75m
11:25PM2.25m
1:00PM1.80m
00:15AM2.00m
1:42PM1.84m
1:09AM1.73m
2:26PM1.87m
2:15AM1.47m
Low Tide
2:36PM1.05m
4:20AM-0.16m
3:31PM1.00m
5:04AM-0.12m
4:25PM0.97m
5:45AM-0.01m
5:22PM0.95m
6:25AM0.16m
6:22PM0.96m
7:02AM0.36m
7:30PM0.96m
7:38AM0.58m
8:48PM0.94m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:05
8:05
8:05
8:04
8:04
8:02
8:02
 mm
Temp °C
19
20
20
21
22
23
23
24
23
22
22
20
20
20
20
20
20
19
20
21
20
Feels °C
19
20
20
21
20
20
24
23
22
21
22
19
19
19
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
  • 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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