Surf Forecasts:
Indicator surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SW swell with 344 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with W 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 (Sep 02) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indicator in the next 16 days are 0.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 14s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indicator over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. I’ve scoured the charts, and truth be told, we’re in for a long, quiet spell at this reef and point. Not much happening in the next two weeks, so let’s break it down.
Starting Sunday the 30th of August – just forget it. Tiny 2ft swell out of the west, cross-on wind blowing it to bits. Combined swell energy is a weak 49. Water temp is a toasty 74°, which is a huge 9° warmer than usual – feels like you’re swimming in a bathtub.
Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September are the same story – small west swell under 2ft. A little clean patch Monday morning with a light cross-off breeze, but the waves are too small to care.
Wednesday the 2nd of September gives us a tiny pulse of long-period groundswell from the southwest – 1ft at 16 seconds, combined energy of 117 (moderate). Winds are light and cross-shore, so it’s clean, but it’s just not enough to ride. That kind of long-period swell would work well here, but the size doesn’t back it up.
Thursday the 3rd of September morning – this is the closest we get to surfable. Still small, 1ft from the southwest at 16 seconds, but it’s clean with a light offshore breeze. Combined energy is 132 (moderate). The waves are there, but they’re ordinary.
Then it’s a big fat gap. From Friday the 4th to Monday the 7th of September, the swell flatlines – 0.3ft to 2ft, poor winds, and near zero energy. A couple mornings are clean or even glassy, but there’s nothing to surf. That’s four days of nothing.
Tuesday the 8th of September morning shows a small bump – 3ft from the west at 6 seconds, combined energy of 116 (moderate). But that cross-on wind chops it up, and the short period makes it weak.
From Wednesday the 9th through to the end, we see some moderate energy numbers pop up – like Wednesday the 9th afternoon at 154 and Thursday the 10th morning at 266 – but it’s all coming from tiny 2ft to 2ft southwest groundswell that’s getting worked over by winds. The period is a decent 15-16 seconds, but there’s just no power behind it.
Monday the 14th of September morning is clean with an offshore wind, but the swell is a measly 1ft from the southwest at 17 seconds. Combined energy is 48. Can’t surf that.
So, the honest truth: there’s no standout day in this whole 16-day outlook. This break is usually fairly consistent, but this run is just a flat, frustrating stretch. If you’ve got a kite, some afternoons with a bit of cross-on wind might be fun, but for a regular surfer, it’s a long wait. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, leave the board on the rack.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 18 | W 6 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 7 | SW 16 | W 5 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
42 | 80 | 33 | 32 | 69 | 22 | 49 | 39 | 96 | 21 | 176 | 85 | 20 | 71 | 35 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 3 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:20PM1.78m | 11:42AM2.00m | 00:07AM1.58m | 12:16PM2.03m | 1:10AM1.38m | 12:59PM2.03m | 2:56AM1.23m | 1:58PM2.00m | 6:18AM1.25m | 3:21PM2.00m | 7:21AM1.38m | 4:52PM2.05m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:23PM0.67m | 5:19AM0.65m | 6:13PM0.65m | 5:43AM0.81m | 7:15PM0.65m | 6:07AM0.96m | 8:36PM0.64m | 6:33AM1.11m | 10:17PM0.58m | 7:10AM1.25m | 11:45PM0.44m | 10:06AM1.32m | 00:47AM0.29m | |||||||
— | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 25 |
Feels °C | 25 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 23 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | W 5 | SW 16 | W 7 | W 6 | SSW 18 | W 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 |
239 | 80 | 33 | 127 | 42 | 22 | 68 | 42 | 21 | 67 | 107 | 47 | 209 | 71 | 364 | 343 | 326 | 310 | 273 | 331 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 11 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 18 | W 6 | W 6 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
15 | 180 | 134 | 75 | 69 | 68 | 36 | 79 | 61 | 38 | 145 | 81 | 47 | 319 | 35 | 15 | 116 | 192 | 310 | 291 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | SSE 12 | S 13 | SW 19 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SW 18 | S 10 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SW 16 | S 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSE 12 | WSW 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 13 |
7 | 27 | 89 | 14 | 62 | 38 | 49 | 17 | 96 | 32 | 71 | 85 | 12 | 39 | 18 | 30 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | — | — | W 6 | W 6 | — | W 5 | W 6 | — | W 6 | W 7 | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
42 | — | — | 32 | 69 | — | 19 | 39 | — | 21 | 176 | — | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 41 | 1 | 2 | 62 | 32 | 2 | 55 | 19 | 148 | 117 | 14 | 0 | 62 | 1 | 2 | 62 | 1 | 1 | 45 | 2 |
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.











