
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Northside) surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with 600 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Indian River (Northside) this week:
The surf forecast for Indian River (Northside) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indian River (Northside) in the next 16 days are 2.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11PM. 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 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Northside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the first few days are a total write-off. We're looking at a stretch of nothing from now until around the 21st of July. Tiny, weak windswell, all under 3ft, with choppy, crummy winds. Even the water temp is a touch warmer than normal at 77°F for the Northside, but that's about the only thing going for it. It's a long flat spell, so you can leave the boards in the shed for a bit. The spot is a beach/jetty setup, so it tends to bounce back, but right now, it’s a desert.
The first real sign of life hits on Wednesday, July 22nd. The morning brings a clean 4ft SSE swell with a clean offshore wind from the west. The energy is moderate (203) and the period is only 8 seconds, so it's a short-period windswell, but the offshore wind will make it rideable. This is beginner-friendly at that size. The afternoon builds to a solid 7ft from the south, with a much bigger energy reading (691) – that’s a punch. But the wind swings cross-offshore, and the report says the tide might be a factor. It's getting into expert territory over 8ft, so it’s not quite there, but it's the best surf of the week. That afternoon session on the 22nd is the standout so far for the bigger-wave crew.
The surf then drops off again through the 23rd and 24th, nothing but small, messy leftovers. We get a bit of a bump on the 25th, but it’s onshore and choppy – not worth the paddle out. The 26th to the 28th is another slow patch of knee-high slop with cross-shore winds.
Now, the second week looks far more promising. The real winner is the stretch from Wednesday, July 29th, through to Friday, August 1st. The morning of the 29th delivers a clean 6ft ENE swell with a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSW. The energy is strong (344) and the conditions are clean. That afternoon, the swell ticks up to 6ft with the same clean wind. This is a proper run of surf. The best day of the whole outlook looks like Thursday, July 30th. The morning is a clean 5ft ENE swell, and then the afternoon is the absolute gem: a glassy 5ft ENE swell. That’s the one you want to be in the water for. Friday morning, July 31st, holds a clean 5ft ENE swell as well, but the afternoon turns onshore and messy. The Northside is a beach/jetty, so it can get crowded (often), but with this quality, it’s worth the company.
After that, it fades again. The 1st and 2nd of August are back to small, choppy onshore dribble.
So, the clear standout is the July 29th to 31st window, with Thursday, July 30th afternoon being the absolute best – glassy, clean, and a solid 5ft. It’s a long way out, but the signs are good.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sat afternoon, light winds from the NE by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 4 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SSE 4 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
40 | 98 | 35 | 26 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 21 | 25 | 34 | 191 | 202 | 515 | 295 | 82 | 59 | 38 | 32 | 106 | 56 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross | cross | on | glassy |
High Tide | 00:41AM0.91m | 1:24PM0.90m | 1:32AM0.84m | 2:13PM0.89m | 2:22AM0.77m | 3:01PM0.87m | 3:12AM0.72m | 3:50PM0.85m | 4:05AM0.68m | 4:41PM0.84m | 5:02AM0.66m | 5:35PM0.85m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:43PM0.04m | 6:13AM-0.02m | 6:35PM0.10m | 6:59AM0.04m | 7:33PM0.15m | 7:49AM0.09m | 8:36PM0.18m | 8:42AM0.14m | 9:37PM0.19m | 9:37AM0.16m | 10:33PM0.17m | 10:28AM0.17m | 11:23PM0.15m | |||||||
— | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | |
mm | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 32 | 25 | 27 | 31 | 28 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 28 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | E 13 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | — | E 12 | SE 8 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 7 |
3 | 3 | 35 | 26 | 18 | 18 | 11 | — | 3 | 2 | — | 202 | 176 | 295 | 82 | 59 | 38 | 32 | 106 | 56 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 8 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | — | SE 8 | E 12 | — | E 6 | — | — | — | N 3 | NE 4 | SSE 7 | — | S 7 |
3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 9 | — | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | — | SE 8 | SE 12 | SE 8 | E 12 | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | ESE 6 |
2 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | S 6 | NNW 3 | N 3 | N 3 | NE 3 | E 3 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SSE 4 | S 8 | — | S 8 | NNW 2 | N 4 | NNE 4 | — | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 |
40 | 98 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 25 | 34 | 191 | — | 515 | 1 | 10 | 5 | — | 19 | 29 | 29 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3109 | 183 | 45 | 73 | 139 | 284 | 337 | 432 | 668 | 1159 | 82 | 0 | 16 | 188 | 36 | 385 | 40 | 40 | 36 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Delaware | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Indian River (Northside) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Indian River (Northside) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Indian River (Northside) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Indian River (Northside) 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 (Indian River (Northside)) 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 Indian River (Northside) 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.
Indian River (Northside) is 30 km (19 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.










