
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Northside) surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, S swell with 162 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with S 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indian River (Northside) in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) 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 1.1m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Northside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it.
Honestly, for the next 16 days, the surf is looking pretty damn flat. There are no good surf options in this window, and I gotta tell you, it's gonna be a struggle. We’re looking at a long run of weak, junky little waves that just won’t have any push behind them.
The only spot on the radar is Indian River (Northside), but even it is not doing anything. The swell energy is just pathetic for the most part. The strongest energy we see all period is a weak 66 (moderate energy, but barely) on Saturday morning, August 8th. That’s about as good as it gets, and it’s still only 2ft of swell. The winds are mostly cross-off or light, which is a silver lining, as it should keep things clean, but with waves this small, it’s not really going to matter much.
Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th are flat out poor, with 2ft and 3ft of short-period slop, and the energy is weak – values between 32 and 36. Saturday the 8th through Monday the 10th see a slight nudge up to 2ft, but the period is only 6 seconds. It’s still poor to just surfable, but really ordinary. There’s a little bump in energy to 66 and 60, but it doesn't translate to any size.
From Tuesday the 11th right through to the 20th, it’s a complete flat spell. Swell heights barely reach 2ft, with periods often under 6 seconds. The energy readings are in the single digits to low 20s, which tells you all you need to know. There is a little bit of a pulse with a longer period around the 14th, with a 10 second SE swell, but it's only 0.3ft, so it ain't doing anything. The 18th and 19th have a bit more period at 9 seconds, but still no size.
The last couple of days on the 20th and 21st see a touch more energy – values in the 30s and 40s – but it’s still tiny and messy, with winds picking up and a bit of cross-chop.
The water temp is 75°F, which is about normal for this time of year. For a beginner, this is the definition of a dead period. If the break is inconsistent or rarely breaks, this is a prime example. But look, it’s a consistent break, so this blank run is more of a lull than a permanent state. Forecasts can change, and it tends not to stay this poor for long. But as it stands, my board’s staying in the car.
Forget the paddle board – there's genuinely nothing out there. It’s more of a skip-it week than a surf week.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 33°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 6 | SSE 4 | S 5 | SSE 5 | S 4 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 4 | SSE 5 | S 6 | S 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
19 | 32 | 59 | 30 | 26 | 49 | 32 | 32 | 162 | 40 | 36 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 11 | 6 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:50PM0.91m | 3:22AM0.73m | 3:52PM0.93m | 4:32AM0.73m | 5:01PM0.95m | 5:44AM0.75m | 6:10PM0.98m | 6:51AM0.80m | 7:13PM1.02m | 7:50AM0.86m | 8:08PM1.06m | 8:43AM0.91m | 8:58PM1.07m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:56PM0.15m | 8:46AM0.10m | 10:08PM0.12m | 9:59AM0.09m | 11:12PM0.07m | 11:05AM0.05m | 00:10AM0.01m | 12:07PM0.02m | 1:05AM-0.04m | 1:05PM-0.02m | 1:57AM-0.08m | 2:01PM-0.05m | 2:46AM-0.11m | ||||||||
6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 28 | 27 | 33 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 26 | 30 | 27 |
Feels °C | 30 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 28 | 34 | 30 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 28 | 30 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | S 6 | SE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 5 | SSE 6 | SE 10 | S 4 | SSE 5 | SE 9 | S 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 |
19 | 2 | 2 | 30 | 6 | 15 | 32 | 22 | 88 | 40 | 20 | 12 | 18 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 11 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | — | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | SE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 7 | E 10 | E 9 | SSE 5 | SE 9 | E 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 11 | — | — | E 8 | — | E 9 | — | — | E 9 | E 11 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | SE 10 | E 8 | E 12 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 11 |
— | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | SSE 4 | S 5 | — | S 4 | S 6 | — | S 6 | S 6 | — | S 6 | — | — | SSE 6 | — | — | S 6 | — | — | NW 3 | — |
13 | 32 | 59 | — | 26 | 49 | — | 32 | 162 | — | 36 | — | — | 18 | — | — | 15 | — | — | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 193 | 1049 | 169 | 40 | 1468 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 363 | 1090 | 45 | 161 | 271 | 139 | 630 | 1049 | 460 |
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.











