
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 5s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, SSE swell with 132 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 5s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s 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 0.9m 9s 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, it’s Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening for the next couple of weeks.
To be honest, we’re lookin’ at a pretty flat run. The first proper chance at a wave doesn’t roll in until Wednesday, July 22nd, and even then, it’s nothin’ to write home about.
The water is about 76°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year. Feels nice, but it won’t put a bend in the wave.
From Friday the 17th all the way through Tuesday the 21st, it’s pretty much dead. Tiny, weak swell with the combined energy barely hittin’ 20-30 (weak). The wind is all over the place, mostly cross or onshore, and you’d be fightin’ chop if you even tried to paddle out. Don’t bother.
The first real window is Wednesday morning, July 22nd at Indian River (Southside). We’ve got a bit of a bump: about 3ft from the SSE, with a 9-second period. The combined energy hits 138 (moderate), which is the best we’ll see. The wind is clean offshore from the W, which is a big plus. It’s surfable, but it’s an advanced spot, and with that size, it’s not for the beginners. This is a beach/jetty setup, so it’ll be a bit of an effort. The best of the week, but it’s a low bar.
After that, it’s back to the small stuff. Thursday the 23rd to the end of the month, the swell drops to around 1-2ft. There are a couple of glassy moments, like Thursday afternoon the 23rd and Saturday morning the 25th, but the energy is just too weak to get a proper ride.
The first week of August is more of the same – tiny, weak, and messy. The combined energy numbers stay low, mostly under 100 (weak), and the wind is mostly cross or onshore. Tuesday morning the 28th has a little bit of swell from the S, but it’s short period and the wind is cross-off, so it’s just a mediocre window.
If you’re a kite surfer, the windier days might look a bit more fun than a paddle board. But for a regular surfer, this is a tough stretch. The break is fairly consistent around here though, so it won’t stay this bad for long. Keep an eye on the forecast.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 23°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the S by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Tue night, light winds from the N by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 6 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 50 | 79 | 47 | 33 | 19 | 18 | 25 | 12 | 17 | 21 | 34 | 132 | 92 | 32 | 25 | 30 | 29 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:42AM0.83m | 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 | 5:17PM-0.03m | 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 | ||||||||
5:48 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 21 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 25 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 20 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | ENE 3 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | E 12 | SSE 6 | NE 4 | NE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 79 | 47 | 33 | 19 | 18 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 132 | 92 | 32 | 25 | 30 | 29 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | — | E 14 | E 13 | — | E 13 | E 13 | — | E 12 | SE 8 | — | NE 4 | E 12 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | S 6 |
7 | 7 | — | 4 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 13 | 12 | — | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 9 | E 9 | E 13 | E 8 | — | E 12 | — | SE 12 | E 12 | SE 8 | S 9 | ESE 8 | — | ENE 6 | E 5 | E 5 | — | — |
4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | — | 6 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 7 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | S 3 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | SE 6 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | S 5 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | N 4 | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | — |
1 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 50 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 25 | 12 | 17 | 21 | 57 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1473 | 1039 | 1047 | 1047 | 129 | 0 | 32 | 74 | 43 | 270 | 414 | 204 | 2159 | 1158 | 171 | 0 | 8 | 41 | 14 | 13 | 74 |
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.










