
Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (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 ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly 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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | W 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
18 | 59 | 59 | 58 | 49 | 109 | 108 | 95 | 155 | 89 | 88 | 82 | 54 | 74 | 76 | 192 | 201 | 27 | 235 | 238 | 214 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | ||||||||
5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
— | 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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | W 5 | W 7 | SW 16 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
139 | 118 | 44 | 59 | 89 | 28 | 55 | 95 | 155 | 80 | 34 | 82 | 34 | 23 | 76 | 192 | 201 | 66 | 235 | 238 | 214 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
2 | 32 | 27 | 58 | 49 | 109 | 108 | 29 | 90 | 89 | 88 | 55 | 54 | 74 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 31 | 104 | 103 | 57 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 15 | W 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | W 9 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | W 17 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 |
18 | 59 | 59 | 21 | 16 | 65 | 33 | 14 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 91 | 94 | 51 | 22 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 17 | 17 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 3 | W 3 | W 4 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SSE 3 | SE 3 | SE 3 | — | — | — | W 5 | W 3 |
— | — | 2 | 1 | 9 | — | — | 38 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 148 | 62 | 12 | 62 | 166 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 117 | 0 |
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.










