
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, SSW swell with 112 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 8AM (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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) 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 1.4m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what Indian River (Southside) is offering up for the next couple weeks.
To be brutally honest, it’s looking like a long, flat spell. There’s a big gap of tiny, weak swell and poor conditions all the way until Thursday, September 17th. The first week and a half is basically a total loss for any real surf – the combined energy barely gets into double digits, staying under 100, and the biggest wave in that stretch is a 3ft one on Friday the 11th, but it’s from the north with a weak 5-second period, so it’s just gonna be a messy closeout. Don't bother.
The only real highlight comes on Thursday morning, the 17th. A little pulse of ESE swell pushes through at 2ft with a 9-second period, and the combined wave energy finally bumps up to 88. The wind is light and blowing cross-offshore from the SSW, keeping the surface clean. It’s not big, and it’s still pretty ordinary, but it’s the only window worth paddling out in the whole forecast. This is an advanced break, so you’ll want some experience to get the most out of these small, clean runners. The water temp is about average for the season.
After that, the 18th and 19th are back to small, choppy, or short-period slop. The 18th has clean conditions with NW winds, but the swell is only 2ft. The 19th sees a bump to 3ft, but the period crashes to 5 seconds and the wind cranks onshore, making it lumpy and messy. The 20th has a long-period 11-second ESE swell, but it’s only 1.0ft and gets trashed by fresh north winds. For a beach/jetty setup, that long period will just make it close out fast.
So, there’s a very narrow window on the morning of Thursday, the 17th for a few clean, small waves. The rest is a waiting game. Keep a eye on it, things can shift.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri night, min 22°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 | ESE 8 | SSE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | S 4 | ENE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | S 6 | SSE 6 | N 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 20 | 32 | 51 | 25 | 45 | 29 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 38 | 12 | 22 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 3:12AM0.73m | 4:21PM0.99m | 4:31AM0.73m | 5:34PM1.01m | 5:46AM0.76m | 6:36PM1.04m | 6:50AM0.80m | 7:31PM1.05m | 7:46AM0.86m | 8:19PM1.05m | 8:36AM0.91m | 9:03PM1.03m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:16PM0.26m | 8:56AM0.14m | 10:29PM0.24m | 10:09AM0.13m | 11:36PM0.20m | 11:19AM0.10m | 00:33AM0.14m | 12:23PM0.05m | 1:23AM0.09m | 1:21PM0.01m | 2:08AM0.04m | 2:14PM-0.01m | 2:50AM0.01m | ||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
7:25 | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | |
mm | 8 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 26 |
Feels °C | 32 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 8 | SE 10 | E 7 | E 7 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 |
6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 20 | 4 | 51 | 25 | 45 | 29 | 18 | 17 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 38 | 12 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | S 6 | ESE 8 | S 5 | ESE 9 | E 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | SE 10 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | S 6 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | S 6 | S 5 | S 5 | ESE 9 | — | SE 4 | S 5 | SE 4 | — | SE 8 | — | — | E 8 | E 9 | — |
2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 3 | NNE 3 | SE 3 | — | E 7 | — | — | — | SSW 2 | — | S 2 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 5 | S 6 | WNW 3 | NNW 3 | N 4 |
— | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 32 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 15 | 18 | 44 | 118 | 3 | 4 | 22 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 509 | 335 | 1125 | 380 | 253 | 538 | 102 | 39 | 202 | 22 | 43 | 691 | 209 | 282 | 1158 | 567 | 22 | 141 | 411 |
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.










