
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, S swell with 454 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indian River (Southside) in the next 16 days are 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I'm looking at the forecast for the Inlet. Gotta be straight with you – it's a tough run.
The next two weeks are looking pretty flat out here. The best we see is a little bump of energy on Wednesday the 22nd, but it's not much to write home about. We're looking at a long stretch of small, weak surf with very few windows of clean conditions. The swell is mostly coming from the SSE, which is not the ideal direction for this spot.
The standout, if you can call it that, is a brief moment on the afternoon of Wednesday the 22nd. The swell from the SSE picks up to 3 ft, with a period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy hits a modest 109. That's still weak, but it's the most energy we see all week. The wind goes light and cross-off, which will clean things up for a few hours. It's a far cry from good, but it's the only surfable window of the whole period for a surfer who's really desperate.
After that, it's back to the doldrums. The rest of the week and into the next is a mix of tiny swell and onshore wind, with nothing breaking the 2 ft mark. A few days, like the 28th, have a glassy morning, but with a 0.7 ft swell, you're just floating. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting around 76°.
Honestly, for the next 16 days, this is a blank run. It's not a spot that pumps often, and when it does, it's small. The forecast can change, but right now, you're better off checking the cams or doing something else. No standout sessions here, I'm afraid.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sat night, light winds from the ENE by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Tue night, light winds from the N by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | S 4 | S 5 | S 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
7 | 10 | 52 | 124 | 30 | 25 | 18 | 18 | 9 | 22 | 33 | 32 | 112 | 187 | 141 | 116 | 34 | 31 | 31 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 00:07AM0.97m | 12:35PM0.83m | 00:53AM0.89m | 1:28PM0.83m | 1:40AM0.81m | 2:23PM0.83m | 2:29AM0.75m | 3:20PM0.84m | 3:22AM0.69m | 4:19PM0.85m | 4:17AM0.66m | 5:18PM0.87m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:04AM-0.02m | 6:14PM0.02m | 6:50AM0.01m | 7:13PM0.09m | 7:38AM0.05m | 8:16PM0.15m | 8:26AM0.09m | 9:23PM0.20m | 9:17AM0.14m | 10:29PM0.23m | 10:09AM0.17m | 11:30PM0.24m | |||||||
— | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | |
8:22 | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:19 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 21 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 25 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 17 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | E 13 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | NE 4 | NE 4 | SE 8 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 7 |
7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 25 | 18 | 18 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 2 | — | 187 | 141 | 116 | 34 | 31 | 31 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 8 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | S 7 | E 12 | E 12 | — | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 8 | SSE 7 | S 7 |
4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | SE 13 | — | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | E 12 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 3 | S 4 | S 5 | S 7 | WNW 2 | N 3 | N 3 | NE 4 | E 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 6 | WSW 4 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 |
1 | 10 | 52 | 124 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 22 | 33 | 32 | 112 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 29 | 9 | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1039 | 1047 | 122 | 0 | 43 | 75 | 141 | 266 | 387 | 282 | 1140 | 2436 | 1092 | 185 | 0 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Delaware | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










