Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Northside) surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, S swell with 140 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 6s period. 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 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Northside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the 16-day picture for Indian River (Northside). Let’s be straight with you: we’ve got a long, flat spell ahead for this spot. Most of the first two weeks are just tiny dribbles—waist-high or smaller—and the winds are all over the shop. Don’t get your hopes up too early.
The real story here is a late-summer pulse that shows up on Thursday, August 27th and into Friday, August 28th. That’s when the swell finally kicks in, with a mix of waves coming from the ENE. On Thursday afternoon, we’re looking at a solid 6 ft of swell from the ENE, with moderate wave energy (281) and clean conditions thanks to a cross-offshore wind. The morning of the 27th is a bit messier, with a 5 ft ENE swell and a cross-shore wind that’ll chop it up. Friday morning sees a similar 5 ft from the E, with clean conditions again. This is the standout—biggest surf of the whole run, and it’s actually rideable. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.
Before that, it’s a grind. The first week is mostly knee-to-waist-high junk. There’s a moment on Saturday, August 22nd, where the morning goes glassy with a 3 ft S swell, but it’s short-period (5 seconds) and the conditions are just “ordinary.” A couple of clean mornings pop up, like Monday, August 17th morning with a 2 ft SSE swell and light cross-off wind, but it’s still tiny. The gap between any real surf is huge—basically 13 days of nothing worth paddling out for.
When the late swell finally arrives, it’s not perfect. The period is only 6 seconds, so it’s a shorter-period wind swell, not a long groundswell, but it’s the only game in town. The break is a beach/jetty setup, so with that cross-off wind on the 28th, it’ll be cleanest near the jetty. Crowds are often around here, so expect company if you’re chasing that Friday morning session.
This is a quiet stretch for Indian River. If you’re desperate for a wave, the 27th and 28th are your best bets, but don’t expect magic. The rest? Save your energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Thu night, min 21°C on Fri afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 22°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 5 | SE 8 | S 5 | ESE 8 | NE 3 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | SSE 6 | S 3 | S 5 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | ESE 14 | SE 13 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 30 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 50 | 140 | 47 | 23 | 12 | 19 | 44 | 69 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross | on | cross |
High Tide | 8:58PM1.07m | 9:32AM0.95m | 9:46PM1.05m | 10:21AM0.97m | 10:34PM1.01m | 11:09AM0.96m | 11:21PM0.94m | 11:58AM0.94m | 00:09AM0.87m | 12:46PM0.91m | 00:58AM0.80m | 1:33PM0.88m | 1:47AM0.74m | ||||||
Low Tide | 2:46AM-0.11m | 2:53PM-0.05m | 3:32AM-0.11m | 3:43PM-0.04m | 4:14AM-0.09m | 4:30PM-0.01m | 4:54AM-0.05m | 5:16PM0.04m | 5:34AM0.01m | 6:03PM0.10m | 6:14AM0.08m | 6:53PM0.15m | |||||||
— | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
7:58 | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | 6 | 7 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 25 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 3 | SE 9 | ENE 3 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | — | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 12 |
3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 3 | — | 47 | 23 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 69 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 5 | S 5 | ESE 8 | — | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 13 | SSE 6 |
— | 1 | 2 | 7 | — | 9 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 7 | 13 | 44 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | — | E 7 | S 5 | SE 7 | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 16 | ESE 14 | NE 3 | NE 4 |
2 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 19 | 2 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | — | S 2 | SSW 3 | NE 3 | — | NW 2 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | SSE 6 | S 3 | S 5 | S 6 | NNW 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
5 | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 30 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 50 | 140 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1046 | 1172 | 314 | 2143 | 1413 | 3109 | 1174 | 1341 | 3109 | 1294 | 337 | 1357 | 0 | 0 | 139 | 45 | 34 | 18 | 10 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Delaware | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











