
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, S swell with 108 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s 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 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) 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 0.7m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
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 next sixteen days down at Indian River (Southside), in the Indian-River-Southside zone. To be real with you—this stretch is flat, quiet, and there’s just no surf to get worked up about. We’re talking tiny, weak slop with barely any energy in the water for almost the whole run.
Sunday the 9th starts off with a small 0.6m south swell at a short 6 seconds, and the combined energy is only 32—hardly a whisper. Winds are light offshore or cross-off, so the water’s clean, but the waves are really poor. Same deal into Monday the 10th: even smaller on Monday morning at 0.5m from the SSE at 5 seconds, energy dropping to 20. Monday afternoon picks up just a bit to 0.8m from the south, period still short at 6 seconds, energy up to 72. That’s about the best you’ll see, and even that’s only called “surfable but very ordinary.” Water temp is about normal for the time of year.
From Tuesday the 11th all the way to Sunday the 16th, you’re in a dry spell—swell heights bouncing between 0.2m and 0.5m, periods are short, and energy is mostly single digits or low teens. Winds stay light and often clean, but there’s just nothing pushing in. This is a beach/jetty spot, exposed to south and SSE swells, but they’re not delivering. Around Wednesday the 19th, the energy jumps to 171 on the 19th afternoon and 112 on Thursday the 20th morning, but the wave height is still only 0.4m to 0.6m. The period stretches to 13–14 seconds, so it’s a long period groundswell, but it’s tiny. That means long gaps between sets and not enough wave to ride.
A few mornings, like Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st, have clean offshore winds with that little ESE swell, but again—no size. The very end of the run, Sunday the 23rd, shows a 1.1m northeast swell at a short 5 seconds, with 30 km/h cross-off winds and energy at 92, but it’s still poor and messy.
So honestly, there’s no standout session here. The only moments that might be surfable are the afternoons of Monday the 10th and Monday the 24th, with waves around 0.7m to 0.8m and clean conditions—but it’s ordinary, not exciting. Crowds can show up sometimes at Indian River, but with waves this small, you’ll have the place to yourself. If you’re a beginner, the swell never tops 1.5m, so it’s not too big. For experts, there’s just no power or push to work with.
This kind of flat spell doesn’t usually last long around here, and forecasts can change—but right now, I’d say save the wax for another day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 33°C on Mon afternoon, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 6 | S 6 | S 5 | S 4 | SSE 5 | S 6 | S 5 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | S 5 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 | NE 4 | SSE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
64 | 24 | 21 | 9 | 17 | 46 | 27 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 16 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 5:46AM0.72m | 6:46PM1.05m | 6:54AM0.75m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:47PM0.18m | 11:25AM0.05m | 00:48AM0.13m | 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 | ||||||
— | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
8:02 | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 20 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 32 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 18 | 21 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | S 6 | SSE 5 | ESE 7 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | S 5 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | NE 4 | SSE 6 |
1 | 24 | 9 | 4 | 17 | 20 | 27 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 16 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 8 | SE 7 | E 8 | E 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | E 7 | NW 3 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SSE 5 | ENE 4 |
— | 6 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 11 | SE 8 | E 11 | E 10 | E 13 | SE 10 | SE 7 | — |
— | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | — | S 5 | S 4 | — | S 6 | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | S 5 | — | WNW 3 | — | — | N 3 | NE 4 | — |
64 | — | 21 | 9 | — | 46 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 9 | — | 1 | — | — | 5 | 5 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 43 | 162 | 141 | 1089 | 0 | 22 | 364 | 302 | 335 | 515 | 1108 | 43 | 330 | 546 | 363 | 364 | 458 | 330 |
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.











