
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SSW swell with 155 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Indian River (Southside) this week:
The surf forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indian River (Southside) in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get straight into it for Indian River (Southside).
To be honest with you, this is a pretty tough stretch. Looking at the whole 16-day window, there’s a lot of small, weak, and messy conditions on the cards. The swell energy is mostly in the weak range, with values like 12 to 65, and a lot of cross-shore winds. It’s the kind of period where you’d be checking the forecast every day hoping something changes. But there are a couple of moments that might just get you in the water.
The water is sitting at 78°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least the swim won't be a shock.
Let’s break it down day by day. From Monday the 10th through to the end of the week, there’s very little to recommend. Swells are tiny – mostly around 1.0ft to 2ft – with short periods and messy winds. The energy is low, often in the single digits or teens. You’d be looking at a lot of whitewash and chop. Even when we get a clean window, the lack of size kills it.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Monday the 17th of August. This is the standout of the whole outlook. The morning brings a jump in swell to 5ft out of the SSW, and the combined energy kicks up to 232, which is the highest we see. Winds are cross-offshore from the NNW at 16 mph, keeping it clean. The afternoon holds similar energy at 164 with 4ft of swell. It’s the best size and power we get, but don’t get too excited – the surf quality is still listed as poor. It’s an advanced break anyway.
After that spike, it drops right back down. Tuesday the 18th is back to weak surf, and the next real mention comes on Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th, but it's not much. On Sunday the 23rd, we see a tiny bump in energy to 65 in the afternoon with 2ft swell and light cross-off winds. It’s surfable but ordinary. That’s the only time in the entire 16 days that the score isn't a zero, and even that is just a 1 out of 10.
So, the headline here is: the best surf you’ll find is on Monday the 17th. It’s bigger and has the most power, but keep your expectations in check. It’s not going to be a classic, but it’s your best shot at getting a few waves that have some push.
Stay patient, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 32°C on Mon afternoon, min 23°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the SW by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Sat morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 6 | S 6 | S 4 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 3 | S 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 4 | S 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
9 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 22 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 18 | 18 | 8 | 7 | 18 | 76 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross | on | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:44PM1.08m | 7:55AM0.79m | 8:37PM1.09m | 8:49AM0.84m | 9:25PM1.09m | 9:40AM0.87m | 10:10PM1.05m | 10:29AM0.89m | 10:53PM1.00m | 11:16AM0.91m | 11:35PM0.93m | 12:03PM0.91m | 00:16AM0.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:28PM0.01m | 1:42AM0.08m | 1:28PM-0.03m | 2:31AM0.03m | 2:23PM-0.06m | 3:18AM-0.00m | 3:17PM-0.06m | 4:02AM-0.02m | 4:08PM-0.04m | 4:44AM-0.02m | 4:59PM0.00m | 5:26AM0.01m | 5:51PM0.07m | ||||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 31 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
Feels °C | 32 | 33 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 23 | 23 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 10 | S 4 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | ENE 4 | SE 8 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | — |
9 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 18 | 18 | 8 | 7 | 3 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | NE 4 | SE 8 | NE 4 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | E 3 | SE 9 | — | NE 4 | ENE 4 | SE 8 | — | — |
2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | — | 5 | 2 | 3 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | SE 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | SE 8 | E 13 | — | — | E 12 | — | SE 9 | NE 4 | — | — |
1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 6 | S 5 | — | WNW 2 | WNW 4 | NNW 3 | — | S 3 | S 4 | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | S 4 | S 5 |
— | 17 | 29 | — | 1 | 13 | 1 | — | 4 | 22 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | 18 | 76 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1089 | 2669 | 13 | 364 | 141 | 209 | 694 | 1352 | 453 | 1039 | 2373 | 217 | 380 | 380 | 363 | 458 | 273 | 315 | 850 | 1164 | 13 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Delaware | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Indian River (Southside) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Indian River (Southside) 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 (Southside) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Indian River (Southside) 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 (Southside)) 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 (Southside) 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 (Southside) is 28 km (17 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.











