Surf Forecasts:
Bethany surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, SSE swell with 64 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period with SE 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s. 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 0.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 11AM. 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 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bethany over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s happening at Bethany Beach over the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a pretty flat spell we’ve got on our hands, so we gotta be patient.
Right now, and for most of the coming days, the surf is tiny to non-existent. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, no big surprises there. We’re looking at a long stretch of calm, small conditions from today, August 15th, all the way through to around August 25th. That’s over a week where you’d be hard-pressed to justify dragging the board out. The combined energy is often in the weak zone, with most days reading low and under 100, so don’t expect any push.
There’s a little flicker of hope toward the end of the run. On Wednesday morning, August 26th, we finally see something just about surfable. The waves will be a weak 0.4m (1 ft) from the Southeast with a period of 12 seconds. That longer period (over 11 seconds) will bring a bit more shape, but at this size, it’s barely a ripple. The combined energy climbs to 41 (moderate wave energy), and the wind is a light breeze, keeping things clean. It’s not a standout, but it’s the best we’ve got that day.
Then, on Thursday, August 27th, there’s the single best window in the whole outlook. The morning shows 0.5m (2 ft) swell from the Southeast, with a period of 10 seconds, and combined energy of 94 (moderate wave energy). The wind is a gentle cross-offshore breeze, so the surface will be clean. That’s the pick of the fortnight. It’s still small, but for Bethany in this flat run, it’s the one to aim for. The afternoon holds similar but a little less energy.
After that, it fades back into poor conditions right through to the end of the month. For a spot like this that is fairly consistent normally, this blank run is a bit of a bummer. But hey, the forecasts can change, and we’ll be ready when they do.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Fri night, fresh winds from the SSW by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 22°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | SE 4 | SE 8 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 64 | 33 | 26 | 15 | 22 | 30 | 24 | 22 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 21 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 1:34PM1.19m | 1:50AM0.97m | 2:22PM1.16m | 2:43AM0.92m | ||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:57AM0.20m | 7:51PM0.27m | 7:50AM0.27m | 8:55PM0.30m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | 7:55 | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — |
mm | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 30 | 32 | 30 |
Feels °C | 29 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 32 | 34 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 6 | ESE 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 3 | — | 64 | 33 | 26 | 15 | 22 | 30 | 24 | 22 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 21 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 9 | S 6 | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | E 14 | ESE 9 | NE 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | NE 4 | — | — | — | ESE 8 |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 12 | — | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 13 | SSE 6 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | E 6 |
| kJ | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 7 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 3 | E 4 | ESE 4 | — | SE 4 | SSE 4 | S 6 | — | — | NNW 2 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | SSE 2 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 | N 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 4 | 6 | — | 7 | 13 | 136 | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | 2 | 53 | 31 | 28 | 11 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 327 | 1332 | 2666 | 1332 | 1133 | 1159 | 1086 | 14 | 82 | 80 | 260 | 419 | 108 | 152 | 595 | 853 | 10 | 6 | 6 |
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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