Indian River (Southside) Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.60° N 75.06° W

Indian River (Southside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 01 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Indian River (Southside) sea temperature is
23.6° C
0.3° 

Indian River (Southside) surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, S swell with 491 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period with SSE 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 (Aug 02) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 6s. 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 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 2nd Aug)5ft (1.6m) 6s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 2nd Aug)5ft (1.6m) 6s
Most Powerful 5PM (Mon 3rd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, taking a look at the 16-day forecast for our local stretch.

Honestly, I gotta call it like I see it: this run looks pretty bleak for paddle surfing. We’re staring down a long stretch of weak, small, and choppy conditions. The first real surf doesn't show up until Monday, August 3rd, and even that’s a bit of a stretch to call it a "session." Before that, Saturday and Sunday are a write-off with tiny waves under 3 feet and messy cross-shore winds.

Monday morning, August 3rd, the swell finally bumps up to 5 feet from the SSE, but it's short-period junk at 8 seconds and the wind is cross-off, which at least cleans it up. The real energy doesn't hit until Monday afternoon when the swell jumps to 7 feet from the S with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is a solid 705 (moderate wave energy), which means there’s some push. But that’s a lot of water for a beach/jetty break like Indian River (Southside), and with a 7-foot swell, this is strictly for the advanced crew. Beginners would be in over their heads. The water temp is sitting at 75°, which is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

After that Monday spike, the surf just fades away again. The rest of the first week and into the second week is a graveyard of 2 to 3-foot slop with onshore or cross-shore winds. There’s a tiny flicker of life on Saturday, August 15th, with a 5-foot swell from the ENE and a combined energy of 175 (weak to moderate), but it’s onshore wind and the period is a weak 6 seconds. The following Sunday, August 16th, has a similar 4-foot ENE swell, but the wind is cross-shore, which will leave it chopped up.

So, the one and only stand-out – and I use that term loosely – is Monday afternoon, August 3rd, at Indian River (Southside). The swell is a decent 7 feet, and the cross-off wind from the SW will keep the faces clean. But it’s a beach/jetty setup, so long-period groundswell this is not; it’s short-period windswell. It’s the only window all forecast where the energy is worthwhile, and even then, it’s only for the experienced surfers who can handle a punchy, 6-foot-plus closeout.

Other than that, with the wind and small swell, this setup honestly looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer for most of the period. The forecast can always change, but as it stands, we’re looking at a lot of flat, blown-out days.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 37mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun night, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Tue morning, fresh winds from the S by Thu night).

Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SE
7
0.5
SSE
7
0.8
SSE
4
0.9
SE
4
0.9
SSE
6
1.3
SSE
7
1.5
SSE
8
2.1
S
8
1.6
S
7
0.8
SSE
7
0.8
SSE
6
1.1
S
6
0.5
SE
7
0.9
SSE
6
1.2
SSE
6
0.9
SSE
6
1.1
S
5
1.1
S
6
0.8
SSE
6
1.1
S
5
0.8
SE
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
12
26
27
31
55
153
257
491
279
57
54
94
22
53
108
60
69
91
43
66
46
Wind (km/h)
10
SSE
20
S
25
S
25
SE
25
S
15
SSW
25
SSW
20
SW
15
SW
5
S
20
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
25
S
20
SSW
20
SSW
25
S
25
SSW
20
SSW
25
S
20
SW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
11:02AM0.81m
11:18PM0.92m
11:42AM0.83m
11:54PM0.88m
12:25PM0.86m
00:34AM0.84m
1:12PM0.88m
1:20AM0.79m
2:08PM0.91m
2:13AM0.75m
3:13PM0.93m
3:17AM0.72m
4:26PM0.96m
4:30AM0.70m
Low Tide
4:39PM0.08m
5:13AM0.08m
5:25PM0.10m
5:50AM0.07m
6:15PM0.13m
6:32AM0.07m
7:11PM0.17m
7:18AM0.08m
8:15PM0.20m
8:12AM0.09m
9:26PM0.22m
9:13AM0.09m
10:39PM0.22m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
thunderstorm
mod rain
mod rain
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:01
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:05
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:10
8:09
8:08
8:07
8:06
8:05
8:04
 mm
20
6
7
4
4
3
2
Temp °C
25
26
25
25
26
27
25
24
24
24
26
25
26
28
28
28
29
27
29
30
29
Feels °C
26
25
24
24
26
26
25
25
26
27
27
27
28
28
29
29
28
28
30
30
30
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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