
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, SSW swell with 150 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period with E 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. 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 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) 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 1.4m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for Indian River (Southside). I've gotta be straight with you, this is a tough stretch. The swell window just isn't lining up for us, and we're looking at a long, dry spell. For the first two weeks of the forecast, the energy is just too weak, or the wind is in the wrong spot, to give us anything ridable. There's a big gap of nothing happening from now until the 10th of September, with swells barely hitting 1.6 ft and a lot of choppy, onshore junk. It's a quiet period for this area, and while it can change, it's looking pretty bleak. We don't get our first real taste of something until the 10th, and even then it's a bit of a weird one.
Hold on though, Thursday the 10th of September afternoon shows a spike. The swell jumps to 4.6 ft from the SSW, and the wind drops off to next to nothing, leaving it clean. The combined energy hits 215 (moderate energy), which is the first time we've seen a number that actually means something. The period is short at 6 seconds, so it's windswell, not groundswell, and it won't have much shape. Still, it's the only window with a score of 2 out of 10, which is the best on offer. For an advanced spot, it's a brief chance to get wet, but don't expect anything special.
After that, it's back to the doldrums. The rest of the second week and into the third week is a write-off of tiny, messy, or cross-shore junk. The 16th of September brings a bit more size, with 4.6 ft from the NE, but it's lumpy and cross-onshore, so it's a complete mess. The energy is there at 153 (moderate), but the wind ruins it. The 21st and 22nd of September see the swell building again, with 7.2 ft from the ENE on the 22nd morning and a combined energy of 584 (strong), but it's accompanied by a moderate cross-onshore wind and a short period of 8 seconds. That's a lot of power, but it's going to be a choppy, blown-out mess. For a beach/jetty setup at that size, it's more of a kite-surfing proposition than a paddle session. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.
So, to sum it up, the only real stand-out, and I'm using that term loosely, is Thursday the 10th of September afternoon. It's clean, and there's a wave, but it's short period and just a brief window. Everything else is a non-starter. It's a frustrating outlook, but that's the way this one goes.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed night, calm by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 6 | ENE 7 | E 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 | S 4 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 6 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
20 | 19 | 43 | 31 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 150 | 44 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:46AM0.76m | 6:36PM1.04m | 6:50AM0.80m | 7:31PM1.05m | 7:46AM0.86m | 8:19PM1.05m | 8:36AM0.91m | 9:03PM1.03m | 9:22AM0.95m | 9:44PM0.99m | 10:06AM0.98m | 10:23PM0.94m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:04PM-0.01m | 3:30AM0.01m | 3:52PM0.02m | 4:08AM0.03m | ||||||
— | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
7:22 | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 30 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 28 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | ENE 7 | E 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | NE 5 | SE 7 | SE 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 |
20 | 19 | 43 | 31 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 56 | 44 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | SE 8 | SE 7 | ENE 5 | ESE 9 | SE 6 | ESE 6 |
7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 5 | S 5 | — | — | — | SE 10 | — | — | E 9 | E 8 | — | SE 10 | S 6 | ESE 9 | ENE 5 | NE 4 | E 8 |
8 | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 4 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | S 4 | S 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — | N 4 | N 4 | NNW 3 | — | — | ESE 2 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 13 | 68 | 91 | 150 | — | 16 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 141 | 75 | 102 | 22 | 80 | 1217 | 209 | 209 | 691 | 691 | 218 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 315 | 364 | 628 | 694 | 640 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Delaware | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










