Indian River (Northside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve scanned the charts for the next 16 days, and honestly, it’s a pretty quiet stretch for our neck of the woods. You’re gonna be waiting a while for anything worth paddling out for. There’s a real dry spell to start, so if you’re itching for a wave, temper those expectations.

We’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands. The first few days are a write-off. The only spot that ever gets a mention is Indian River (Northside). It’s a beach/jetty setup, beginner-friendly, and exposed to the swell. The water temp is sitting at 77°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit, but that’s about the only good news.

Wednesday the 2nd is a no-go. Just 2ft of weak, short-period ESE swell with a nasty cross-onshore wind. The combined energy is a paltry 85 (weak), and it’s just choppy, poor surf. The wind is a moderate breeze, so forget it.

Thursday the 3rd is the first time we see a glimmer. The swell drops to 2ft from the SE, but the wind swings to a light cross-offshore. The combined energy is weak (57), and the comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s clean, but it’s tiny. You might get a few ankle-biters, but nothing to get excited about. Thursday afternoon is much the same with a light breeze.

Friday the 4th is a total dud. The swell is 2ft with a 6-second period, and the wind is all over the place. The energy is 31 (weak). The only highlight is a glassy moment Friday afternoon, but the swell is only 1ft. That’s a lake.

The weekend, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th, is a write-off. Strong winds, bumpy conditions, and no real swell. Saturday morning has a fresh breeze from the NNW, and the waves are 2ft but with a 4-second period – just wind slop. The combined energy is 39 (weak). Sunday is a gentle cross-onshore with 3ft swell, but it’s a poor, choppy mess.

Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th stay poor. Weak, disorganized swells with cross-shore winds. The combined energy never breaks 75 (weak). Clean conditions, but no power.

It’s not until Saturday the 12th that we see another small window. The morning is glassy, with a 3ft wave from the ENE. The period is a short 5 seconds, and the combined energy is only 50 (weak). The comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s clean, but you’re looking at knee-high stuff at best. The afternoon gets a cross-onshore wind, so the window is small.

Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th are more of the same – weak, short-period, onshore junk. Energy is in the 30s and 60s (weak). Clean conditions appear, but the swell is just too small to do anything with.

The tail end of the forecast, from the 15th to the 17th, is a total bust. The swell drops to 0.7ft, and while there are some glassy moments and a clean period with a 14-second period, the energy is pitiful (15 to 33). That long-period groundswell is a tease, but at 0.7ft, it’s completely flat. It’s not breaking.

So, here’s the straight truth: there are no standouts. No sessions worth marking on the calendar. The best you’ll get is a clean, knee-high dribble on the morning of Saturday the 12th. If you’re desperate, you might get wet on the morning of the 3rd, but it’s ordinary. For a beginner, the small size is safe, but there’s just no power. The long wait between any surf is the story here. Forecasts can change, but this is a lean run.

Rusty.

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