Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Northside) surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, S swell with 111 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 5s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s 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 1.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 8PM. 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Northside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta say, looking at the next 16 days for Indian River (Northside), it’s a pretty grim stretch. The water’s sitting at a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, about 78°, which is a degree or two above average, but that’s about the only highlight.
We kick off on Saturday the 22nd, and honestly, there’s nothing to get excited about. The swell is tiny, only 2ft on Saturday morning with a weak ESE wind, and the combined energy is a measly 58. It’s just poor surf conditions. That sets the tone for the whole first week. Sunday the 23rd looks clean with offshore wind, but the swell is barely 2ft and the period is a short 5 seconds. The wave energy is almost non-existent.
We get a few days of tiny, clean swells through to Monday the 25th, but you’re looking at waves around 0.7ft to 1ft. It’s not surfable. Tuesday the 26th and Wednesday the 27th are more of the same – small, weak, and mostly onshore. The combined energy barely cracks 50 most days.
The only real glimmer in this whole 16-day window comes on Friday the 28th. In the afternoon, we get a glassy, clean moment with a 3ft swell from the south. The combined energy jumps to 187, which is actually moderate. It’s the only day with a "surfable" comment, but it’s still just a 1 out of 10. It’s not good, it’s just less terrible.
After that, it’s back to small, messy, and cross-onshore winds through the end of August. On the 31st, the swell energy ramps up to 221, but it’s a stormy 5ft from the ENE with a 6-second period and cross-shore winds. There’s no quality.
Then we hit September, and it gets interesting but not for paddle surfing. On Tuesday, September 1st, the wind cranks to 19 mph from the south, and the swell height hits 4ft with a long 14-second period. The combined energy is a massive 706. That’s strong energy. But the wind is cross-shore, the conditions are a lumpy mess, and the break is a beach/jetty setup. This looks like a kiteboarding session, not a paddle surf session. The same goes for the next day, Wednesday the 2nd, which has a morning window with offshore WSW wind at 6 mph and a 4ft swell. The energy is 203, and the comment says "expect good surf conditions." That’s the only standout, but it’s still only a 2 out of 10. It’s better than the rest, but it’s not a call to drop everything.
The last few days into the 6th of September are just small, onshore, and weak. The energy is all under 100. There’s a long gap of poor to non-existent surf from the start right through to the 1st of September, a solid 10 days of nothing. The 2nd of September is the best on offer, but it’s barely passable. If you’re a kite surfer, the 1st and 2nd of September have the energy, but for us wave riders, it’s a tough outlook.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 21°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 21°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 7 | ESE 13 | SSE 4 | S 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 12 | SSE 6 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | SE 4 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 7 | SSE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
33 | 17 | 19 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 26 | 23 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 19 | 26 | 22 | 11 | 19 | 31 | 31 | 100 | 30 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:58PM0.81m | 5:29AM0.65m | 5:54PM0.83m | 6:26AM0.69m | 6:47PM0.87m | 7:16AM0.73m | 7:32PM0.91m | 7:59AM0.78m | 8:12PM0.94m | 8:37AM0.83m | 8:49PM0.95m | 9:13AM0.87m | 9:25PM0.95m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:54AM0.22m | 10:52PM0.18m | 10:49AM0.20m | 11:40PM0.15m | 11:39AM0.16m | 00:25AM0.11m | 12:26PM0.13m | 1:08AM0.06m | 1:12PM0.10m | 1:48AM0.03m | 1:56PM0.07m | 2:27AM-0.00m | 2:39PM0.05m | 3:04AM-0.02m | |||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | |
mm | 5 | 2 | 11 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 21 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 30 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | NE 6 | ENE 5 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | E 12 | ESE 9 | SSE 5 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 |
7 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 26 | 22 | 11 | 3 | 31 | 25 | 57 | 30 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 13 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SSE 4 | E 6 | SSE 5 | ESE 10 | E 6 | E 13 | ESE 10 | S 6 | E 11 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 |
— | 17 | 11 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 26 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 31 | 28 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ENE 5 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | — | E 6 | E 6 | E 14 | E 10 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 |
18 | 17 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | — | — | WNW 2 | — | — | — | — | SSE 6 | — | — | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | — | S 7 | NNW 2 |
33 | 10 | 19 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 5 | 5 | 8 | 19 | 12 | — | 100 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1413 | 219 | 516 | 337 | 188 | 143 | 45 | 24 | 139 | 337 | 161 | 139 | 139 | 567 | 173 | 284 | 1038 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











