
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, S swell with 719 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s. 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 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let's get into it. You might be feeling a little twitchy right now because for the next few days, it's gonna be a total dud. I'm talking flat, choppy, messy—no real surf to speak of.
There’s a long wait ahead. The first real hope doesn’t show up until Wednesday, the 22nd of July. We’ve got a good run of nothing, so don't even bother waxing up until then.
Now, Wednesday the 22nd morning is where it’s at, hands down. That’s our standout. Head to Indian River (Southside). We’re looking at a solid pulse of swell hitting 8ft from the south. The wind will be blowing offshore from the WNW, setting it up clean. The wave energy is strong, coming in at a reading of 942, so there's plenty of push. This is a big, powerful swell, but with a period around 8 seconds, it’s not gonna be super lined up. Still, for an advanced spot like this, the conditions will be firing. Be aware, though—with swell that size (over 6ft), this is strictly for experienced surfers. Beginners, sit this one out.
Later that same Wednesday afternoon, the swell drops back to 3ft and turns more cross-off, but it's nothing compared to that morning session. The water temp is sitting at 77°F, which feels a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so the rubber can stay in the car.
After that one killer morning, we go right back into a drought. Thursday the 23rd through to Monday the 3rd of August is basically a write-off. Sloppy onshore winds, tiny ankle-biters, and just generally poor surf conditions across the board. You'll see a few days where it’s glassy or clean, like Sunday morning July 26th, and Wednesday morning July 29th, but the waves are tiny—under 3ft—with weak energy. Surfable at best, but nothing to get excited about.
To be honest, the setup around here looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer for most of this period. For us wave riders, mark your calendar for that Wednesday morning—it's the only real show in town.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 22°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the S by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | SE 7 | NE 5 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
26 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 24 | 22 | 91 | 235 | 719 | 134 | 80 | 57 | 97 | 53 | 42 | 31 | 40 | 37 | 42 | 43 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 1:40AM0.81m | 2:23PM0.83m | 2:29AM0.75m | 3:20PM0.84m | 3:22AM0.69m | 4:19PM0.85m | 4:17AM0.66m | 5:18PM0.87m | 5:15AM0.66m | 6:13PM0.90m | 6:10AM0.66m | 7:03PM0.93m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:01AM0.19m | 00:25AM0.24m | 11:51AM0.19m | 1:14AM0.23m | |||||||
— | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
8:21 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 25 | 25 | 21 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 23 | 27 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | NE 4 | SSE 6 | E 12 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 6 | ENE 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
26 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 3 | — | 223 | 134 | 80 | 34 | 18 | 53 | 14 | 26 | 40 | 37 | 42 | 43 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 4 | NE 4 | SE 8 | E 12 | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 5 | NE 5 |
1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 17 | 28 | 23 | 31 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | — | SE 8 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | SSE 6 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 9 |
3 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 3 | — | SE 4 | SE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | S 8 | — | N 3 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | — | — | — | NE 6 | — |
— | — | 4 | — | 24 | 22 | 91 | 235 | 719 | — | 3 | 57 | 97 | 30 | 42 | — | — | — | 11 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 75 | 141 | 333 | 1472 | 596 | 1125 | 1158 | 8 | 0 | 22 | 38 | 248 | 458 | 39 | 218 | 387 | 134 | 41 | 205 | 0 |
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.










