
Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 196 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 18s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicator in the next 16 days are 0.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 8PM. 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 16s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty, and I've got to be straight with you – the next 16 days are looking pretty grim for this break. It's a reef and point setup, and it's just not getting the love it needs.
We're starting from Friday, August 7th, and things are flat and messy. The water temperature is 72°, which is a solid 7° warmer than normal for this time of year – that's really unusual, but it's about the only thing that's out of the ordinary, and not in a good way. The combined swell energy sits at a weak 56, and it's a tiny 1ft of SW swell with a 12-second period. The wind is a light cross-breeze, but the surf is just poor. Through the first week, it's the same story – tiny waves, poor surf conditions day after day, with hardly any energy. The combined energy stays well under 100, and swell heights barely hit 2ft. There's a bit of a bump on Wednesday, August 12th morning, with a 2ft SW swell at 17 seconds and a light cross-offshore wind making it clean, but the energy is still only moderate at 170, and it's described as "surfable but very ordinary." That's the best of a bad lot. Thursday, August 13th morning is similar, but nothing to get excited about. The inconsistency is real here – this spot is rated as "fairly consistent," but it's not delivering.
The second week rolls on, and it's more of the same – tiny bumps of 1ft to 2ft, poor surf conditions, and moderate cross-onshore winds kicking up chop. The combined energy for most of these days is in the single digits or low double digits. The swell direction is mostly from the W or SW, which isn't ideal for this break – it needs NW swell to really light up. There's a slight uptick on Friday, August 21st morning, with a 3ft W swell and a 6-second period, but the energy is still only 67, and the wind is light cross-shore. The afternoon bumps up to 3ft and 143 energy, but it's cross-onshore and choppy. Saturday, August 22nd morning has a 3ft W swell at 7 seconds with light cross-shore wind, but it's still poor surf. The afternoon sees a 1ft SW swell with a very long 21-second period and 175 energy, but it's cross-onshore and messy. That long period swell would be better suited to a point or reef, but the wind is all wrong.
Look, to be honest, there's no standout here. You're better off waiting for a change in the forecast. The waves are too small for any real fun, and the wind is rarely working in our favour. For a reef and point spot that needs a decent NW swell, this is a total write-off. I wouldn't bother paddling out until things shift. Signing off, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 12 | W 12 | WSW 4 | WNW 4 | W 3 | W 5 | SW 11 | W 4 | SW 11 | W 4 | SW 16 | W 5 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | W 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
53 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 19 | 6 | 30 | 1 | 39 | 2 | 52 | 154 | 152 | 143 | 127 | 125 | 124 | 23 | 6 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 5:00PM2.12m | 8:01AM1.37m | 6:08PM2.25m | 8:40AM1.49m | 7:09PM2.37m | 9:15AM1.59m | 8:03PM2.46m | 9:49AM1.69m | 8:52PM2.49m | 10:23AM1.78m | 9:39PM2.43m | 10:56AM1.85m | 10:24PM2.29m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:38AM1.20m | 1:01AM0.33m | 11:25AM1.23m | 1:53AM0.15m | 12:45PM1.17m | 2:38AM0.01m | 1:46PM1.06m | 3:19AM-0.06m | 2:40PM0.94m | 3:58AM-0.05m | 3:30PM0.84m | 4:34AM0.03m | 4:20PM0.77m | ||||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
146 | 65 | 174 | 172 | 147 | 223 | 172 | 121 | 120 | 105 | 69 | 58 | 56 | 154 | 152 | 143 | 127 | 125 | 124 | 164 | 154 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 5 | W 5 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | W 4 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 20 |
53 | 143 | 37 | 36 | 36 | 17 | 7 | 24 | 30 | 1 | 97 | 96 | 33 | 54 | 28 | 27 | 44 | 11 | 20 | 19 | 75 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 12 | S 13 | W 4 | W 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SW 16 | W 5 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | W 13 | SW 12 | W 6 |
3 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 37 | 19 | 45 | 44 | 38 | 39 | 2 | 52 | 29 | 28 | 13 | 25 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 4 | WSW 4 | WNW 4 | W 3 | — | — | W 4 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — |
— | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | — | — | 6 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 6 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 166 | 62 | 20 | 166 | 117 | 1 | 2 | 117 | 2 | 2 | 140 | 1 | 2 | 136 | 10 | 0 | 148 | 0 | 0 | 166 | 31 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Los Angeles County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











