Indian River (Southside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

The Outlook

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening on our doorstep.

The Outlook

Honestly, it’s a lean stretch for Indian River (Southside). This spot is exposed to the swell, but we’re looking at a real flat spell for days on end. For the first week, from Thursday the 27th right through to the end of August and into the first week of September, the surf is going to be pretty much a no-go for a proper paddle. We’re talking tiny, weak waves with a combined energy that often drops into the teens and twenties (like 56 or less), which is barely a ripple. The swell direction is mostly from the ESE or SE, but it’s small, and the period is short, mostly 8 seconds or less. The wind is pretty messy for most of that time, with a lot of cross-onshore or onshore stuff, so it’s going to be choppy and poor.

There is one brief window that’s worth mentioning. On Friday the 28th of August, both the morning and afternoon sessions go glassy. The swell is tiny at 2 ft from the ESE, and the period is a short 8 seconds, so it’s not going to be exciting, but if you’re desperate for a splash on a longboard, those light, calm conditions will make it look better than it is. The water temp is sitting at 76°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

Things don’t get any better through the first week of September. The wind goes offshore from the west on Tuesday the 1st, but the swell drops to a pathetic 0.7 ft to 1 ft. The wave energy is down in the single digits to low teens. It’s clean, but there’s nothing to ride.

We then hit a major dry spell. From the 1st through to the 7th, it’s poor every day with tiny or non-existent surf. There is a slight pulse of energy that shows up around the 7th and 8th of September. On Monday the 7th, we see 3 ft swell from the E with a period of just 5 seconds, and the energy bumps up to 65. It’s still messy with a cross-onshore wind. By Tuesday the 8th, the energy climbs to 137 (moderate), with a 2 ft swell from the E. But the wind is a strong cross-onshore, so it’s going to be choppy and blown out, not really offering good waves. That afternoon the period stretches to 12 seconds from the SE, which is a proper groundswell, but it’s only 2 ft and the wind is onshore, so it’s still not great.

Into the second week, from the 9th to the 11th, the energy stays moderate, around 100, but the swell is tiny at 2 ft to 2 ft. The period is 11-12 seconds, which is a sign of better quality, but the size just isn’t there. Friday the 11th actually shows the best conditions of the whole outlook. The morning is clean with a light cross-offshore wind from the NNW, and the afternoon goes glassy with a 2 ft SE swell at 11 seconds. The energy is 100. That afternoon, it’s about the cleanest we get, but it’s still tiny surf. It’s a session for the longboard, not for a proper wave.

So, overall, there’s no standout session here. The best bet, if you have to get wet, is the glassy morning or afternoon on Friday the 11th of September. It’s promising with the long period and clean conditions, but the size is a real letdown.

Stay patient.

- Rusty

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