Indian River (Northside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s be real about Florida’s Indian River (Northside) for the next couple of weeks. The short version? We’re looking at a long, flat spell with very little to get excited about. The whole run is a test of patience.

The first half of the outlook is a write-off. From Monday, August 3rd through to about Thursday, August 13th, the wave energy is just sad. We’re seeing a combined swell energy that’s mostly in the double digits (like 29, 46, 62), and the swell heights are barely a ripple. The best we get is a paltry 3 ft on the Wednesday morning, but it’s a short-period, windswelly thing from the SSE with a period of only 7 seconds, and it’s just poor. The wind is a mess, too – mostly cross-off or cross-shore, never truly clean. You’d be better off doing anything else.

There’s a tiny glimmer on Tuesday, August 11th, in the afternoon. The wind finally goes light offshore from the west at 6 mph, and the water gets glassy clean. But the swell is only 2 ft from the south with a 6-second period, and the energy is a weak 49. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Don’t get your hopes up.

Now, the one true standout in this whole 16-day window comes on Saturday, August 15th. That’s a full 12 days out, so take it with a pinch of salt, but it’s the only real glimmer of hope. We’ve got the swell jumping to 4 ft from the south, with a combined energy of 213 (moderate energy). The real kicker is the wind: fresh offshore from the WSW at 19 mph in the morning, easing to a moderate offshore from the WNW in the afternoon. That’s proper offshore wind, and it’s going to groom that south swell into clean, lined-up waves. This is the day for the experienced crew. The size at 4 ft is solid, and with that wind, the wave quality will be the best we’ve seen. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual to report.

After that, it’s back to the doldrums. Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th are a total bust with tiny, weak dribble. The period on the 17th is 9 seconds, but the swell is only 0.7 ft, so it’s academic.

So, to wrap it up: don’t bother paddling out for the first 12 days. Saturday, August 15th, is the only window with any real punch. If you’re an expert and you can wait, that’s your day. Otherwise, we’re in a flat spell that’s pretty normal for this area. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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