Surf Forecasts:
Bethany surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, SSE swell with 98 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bethany this week:
The surf forecast for Bethany over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bethany in the next 16 days are 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bethany over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's take a look at what’s coming up for Bethany over the next couple of weeks. To be straight with you, it’s a pretty grim stretch for decent surf. We’re looking at a whole lot of flat spells and choppy junk.
The water’s running about 78° – a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, which is nice for a paddle, but that’s about the only highlight.
Right now, Wednesday the 12th through to Monday the 24th of August is basically a write-off. There’s barely any wave energy, with the combined swell energy barely ticking above a whisper. You’re looking at ankle-snappers in the 0.3 ft to 0.7 ft range most days, mixed with onshore and cross-onshore winds. A few windows of glassy conditions pop up – like Thursday afternoon the 13th and Thursday morning the 20th – but with tiny waves and zero push, it’s just a flat, pretty lake.
There’s a long gap here of nearly two weeks with nothing worth paddling out for. The wind and swell just don’t line up.
The only real glimmer in this whole 16-day window shows up on Wednesday the 26th of August. Tuesday the 25th gives us a small teaser with a 4 ft east swell and light offshore breeze, but the real standout is the Wednesday morning. We’ve got a clean 6 ft swell from the ENE (302 combined energy – solid, moderate juice), with a gentle cross-offshore wind. That’s the morning to make a move. By the afternoon, the wind swings cross-on and the quality drops off a cliff.
After that, Thursday the 27th gets messy again with a strong onshore wind and lumpy conditions.
So really, it’s a barren forecast. If you absolutely need a paddle, wait for Wednesday the 26th. It’s not huge – manageable for most – but it’ll be the cleanest and best shaped by a long shot. Crowds are likely at Bethany as always, especially on a day that’s not total trash, so get there early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 22°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Sat morning, strong winds from the E by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | E 11 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | SSE 6 | ENE 4 | SE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 21 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 98 | 36 | 27 | 12 | 30 | 31 | 73 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | off | cross | glassy | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:11PM1.50m | 8:45AM1.34m | 8:59PM1.48m | 9:34AM1.36m | 9:47PM1.41m | 10:22AM1.35m | 10:34PM1.33m | 11:11AM1.32m | 11:22PM1.23m | 11:59AM1.29m | 00:11AM1.13m | 12:46PM1.24m | 1:00AM1.04m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:00PM-0.06m | 2:45AM-0.15m | 2:52PM-0.08m | 3:31AM-0.16m | 3:42PM-0.06m | 4:13AM-0.13m | 4:29PM-0.02m | 4:53AM-0.07m | 5:15PM0.05m | 5:33AM0.01m | 6:02PM0.13m | 6:13AM0.11m | 6:52PM0.21m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 23 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 25 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 23 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 22 | 26 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | S 4 | S 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 9 | SSE 6 | S 5 | SSE 6 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | SE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 98 | 36 | 27 | 6 | 30 | 31 | 73 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 11 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | SSE 5 | ESE 3 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | SE 14 | ESE 14 | ENE 5 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 8 | 19 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | — | E 8 | — | E 8 | — | SE 7 | E 13 | ESE 9 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 9 | — | E 5 | — | — | SE 9 | — | — | S 6 | SSE 5 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 3 | WNW 2 | NNW 2 | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | NE 5 | SE 3 | SSE 3 | S 4 | S 6 | — | — | N 3 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 21 | 2 | 7 | 39 | 200 | — | — | 6 | 13 | 17 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2153 | 1477 | 1051 | 321 | 2131 | 2124 | 327 | 3101 | 372 | 451 | 1180 | 1086 | 1133 | 1345 | 0 | 48 | 147 | 277 | 48 | 685 | 108 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Delaware | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Bethany Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Bethany provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bethany can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bethany 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 (Bethany) 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 Bethany 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.
Bethany is 20 km (12 miles) from Ocean City. If you plan a vacation in Delaware, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ocean City. Ocean City has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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