Indian River (Southside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it.

Look, I’ve been staring at the charts for Indian River (Southside), and I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. We’ve got a solid 16-day window here, but the surf is barely whimpering for most of it. The water’s sitting at a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, about 77°F, with a positive anomaly of 3°F, so it’s a nice bath, but that’s about the only highlight for a while.

There’s a big gap of nothingness at the start. From the 26th of August right through to the end of the month, we’re looking at tiny, weak waves – we’re talking 1.0ft to 2ft – with cross-shore winds and barely enough energy to push a leaf. The combined wave energy is pitiful, like 16 to 76 (weak) for most of those days. It’s just not happening. You’d be better off reading a book.

We finally get a little glimmer on Friday the 28th of August. Early morning, the wind goes light and clean out of the northwest, and we get a tiny 2ft wave from the ESE. It’s surfable, but just. The energy is still low (85), so it’s a longboard-only kind of morning. The afternoon brings a risk of storms and a cross-on wind, so that window is tight.

The first week of September is more of the same – tiny 1.0ft to 1ft waves, mostly clean but with no push. The wind does go offshore a few times, like the afternoon of Tuesday the 1st of September (W, 9 mph) and Wednesday the 2nd of September (W, 12 mph), giving us glassy, clean conditions. But the swell is just too small to get excited about.

Now, here’s where it gets a bit more interesting, but also a bit frustrating. Around the 7th of September, the swell starts to build. The 7th of September morning shows a 2ft wave from the east (10s period) with moderate cross-onshore wind, but the combined energy jumps to 126 (moderate). That’s the first real sign of life. The 8th of September morning is the same deal – 3ft, ESE, 10s period, light wind, but still cross-onshore. The energy hits 174 (moderate), so there’s some push, but that onshore element is ruining it.

The real standout, if you can call it that, is Wednesday the 9th of September and Thursday the 10th of September. On the 9th, we get a 3ft east swell, period at 11 seconds (that’s a proper groundswell), with a cross-offshore wind out of the NNW at 22 mph. The water will be clean, and the wave energy is solid at 156 (moderate). It’s not huge, but that longer period will give it some shape. This is a beach/jetty setup here, so a longer-period swell like this can break a bit straight, but with that clean wind, it’s our best shot. Thursday the 10th is similar – 2ft, 10 seconds, clean cross-off wind, energy at 111.

This spot is rated for advanced surfers, and it’s fairly consistent, but the crowds can be an issue – it says “often” for crowds, so you’ll likely have company. The optimum swell is from the SSE, and we’re getting east and ESE swells, so it’s not a perfect angle, but the wind will help.

Honestly, if you’re a weekend warrior, you’re looking at a long, dry spell. For the kite crew, the first week is a no-go, but when that wind gets up around the 6th and 7th of September (22-25 mph), and the waves are small and messy, that’s more of a kite session than a paddle session.

So, if you’re desperate, circle the morning of Wednesday the 9th of September. It’s the best of a bad bunch. The rest? Go fishing.

Rusty

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