Indian River (Northside) Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.62° N 75.06° W

Indian River (Northside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indian River (Northside) sea temperature is
25.0° C
1.3° 

Indian River (Northside) surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Indian River (Northside) surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 5s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, S swell with 64 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 5s period with ENE 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 22) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Indian River (Northside) in the next 16 days are 1.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sat 22nd Aug)2ft (0.6m) 5s
Best Surf 2AM (Sat 22nd Aug)2ft (0.6m) 5s
Most Powerful 5PM (Sun 23rd Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 6s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Northside) over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break down Indian River (Northside). This is a beach and jetty spot that catches swell, but honestly, over the next 16 days, there’s barely anything to work with. The water temp is 77°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s something if you’re just hanging out.

Starting off Wednesday afternoon, August 19th – glassy, no wind, but the swell is a tiny 1ft from the southeast, period around 9 seconds, and the combined energy is weak at 30. Basically flat.

Thursday the 20th has a risk of thunderstorms and a light cross-shore breeze, but the swell is even smaller, 1ft from the southeast with a short 8-second period. Energy drops to 19. Thursday afternoon cleans up a little with a cross-offshore wind, but the swell is just 1.0ft. Nothing.

Friday the 21st sees a bump to 3ft from the northeast, but the period is a terrible 5 seconds, so it’s just wind slop. Energy is 52, and the wind is cross-onshore and choppy. Not surfable.

The weekend is a washout. Saturday the 22nd has clean cross-offshore winds, but the swell is only 1.0ft from the east-southeast, 8-second period. Energy is 29. Sunday the 23rd has a brief pulse of 3ft from the south with a 6-second period, energy 107, but it’s short-period junk with a cross-shore wind. No good.

Monday the 24th is the first time things get slightly interesting. Clean conditions in the afternoon, glassy with a light breeze, swell 1.0ft from the east-southeast, period 12 seconds. Energy is 40. The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” That’s the best we get, but it’s barely knee-high. Not a standout.

From Tuesday the 25th all the way through to September 3rd, it’s the same story: tiny swell, short periods, and mostly onshore or cross-onshore winds. A few days have a bit more energy, like September 1st afternoon with 113 energy and September 2nd afternoon with 147 energy, but the swell height is still only 1ft to 2ft, and the period is short. The winds are onshore, so it’s messy.

So honestly, there are no good surf options in this 16-day window. The waves are too small, the period is too short, and the wind is rarely favorable. For a beginner spot like this, it’s a total bust. If you’re into kiting, the setup might be more interesting on days with onshore wind and chop, but for paddle surfing, don’t bother. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a blank run.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 76mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
8
0.6
S
4
0.5
SSE
5
0.9
NE
5
0.8
ENE
5
0.6
ENE
5
0.3
ESE
8
0.3
ESE
8
0.2
ESE
13
0.2
ESE
12
1
S
6
0.5
SSE
6
0.4
SSE
6
0.3
ESE
12
0.3
ESE
11
0.9
NE
4
0.7
ENE
5
0.5
E
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
30
20
18
14
13
32
27
15
14
13
17
15
64
17
14
26
23
26
25
13
Wind (km/h)
0
E
15
SW
10
S
15
SSW
10
NNE
20
ENE
15
E
5
S
15
SSW
15
SSW
10
W
10
SSE
15
S
15
WNW
15
NNW
5
ESE
15
SSW
20
NE
20
NE
10
NE
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
2:21PM0.85m
2:37AM0.69m
3:09PM0.83m
3:30AM0.66m
4:01PM0.81m
4:28AM0.64m
4:58PM0.81m
5:29AM0.65m
5:54PM0.83m
6:26AM0.69m
6:47PM0.87m
7:16AM0.73m
7:32PM0.91m
Low Tide
7:52PM0.20m
7:51AM0.19m
8:56PM0.22m
8:53AM0.22m
9:58PM0.21m
9:54AM0.22m
10:52PM0.18m
10:49AM0.20m
11:40PM0.15m
11:39AM0.16m
00:25AM0.11m
12:26PM0.13m
1:08AM0.06m
clear
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:18
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:49
7:47
7:46
7:45
7:44
7:42
7:40
 mm
2
9
45
5
14
1
2
1
4
1
1
Temp °C
27
27
26
28
22
23
23
25
25
27
26
25
28
28
23
26
25
23
23
23
Feels °C
27
27
29
29
24
23
24
29
26
28
27
27
28
30
22
26
23
23
22
25
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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