Indian River (Southside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this straight. I’ve looked at the charts for Indian River (Southside) for the next couple of weeks, and if you’re chasing waves, you’re going to be doing a whole lot of waiting. This forecast is about as flat as it gets for a long while.

We start off the run with a week of almost nothing. From Saturday the 8th right through to the morning of Tuesday the 18th, the swell is tiny and the conditions are pretty ordinary. You get the odd clean window, like Sunday morning with that light offshore breeze, but the surf is just ankle-biters. The energy is weak, mostly sitting in the low double digits (values like 50, 33, 21), and the period is short, so there’s no push in any of it. It’s really just a lot of standing around on your board. A couple of afternoons see a cross-shore wind kick up and just mess with what little texture there is. Honestly, for a week and a half, you could leave your board in the car.

Then, around Wednesday the 19th, things try to wake up a little. The morning is glassy, and while it’s still small, there’s a bit of energy starting to build. The afternoon sees the swell jump to 4ft, but the period is a short 5 seconds so it’s going to be lumpy and lack any real power.

The only real standout, if you can call it that, is the late morning into the afternoon of Wednesday the 19th. It’s the best the run has to offer. The swell is up to 4ft but the period is short. The winds are light and offshore, which makes it look clean. This is about the only time you might get a couple of fun, albeit small, ones. It’s still ordinary, but it’s the pick of a bad bunch. The water is sitting around 77°, which is basically average for this time of year, so nothing crazy there.

After that little blip, it goes quiet again. From Thursday the 20th onward, it’s back to small surf and generally average conditions. There’s a bit of swell around but it’s small and poorly organized. Early on the 23rd has a bit of energy but the rain showers and light cross-off wind aren't too inspiring.

So, the long and short of it is: this is a barren stretch. Don't hold your breath for anything epic. If you’re desperate for a splash, Wednesday afternoon on the 19th looks like the best chance, but manage your expectations. It stays poor for a long time, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye out, but right now, it’s a go-fish kind of fortnight.

Rusty.

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