
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, E swell with 100 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s on offer. It’s a pretty quiet stretch ahead for us, so I’ll be straight with you.
Right now, and for the next several days, the swell is tiny and the wind is messy. We’re looking at a long gap of poor conditions. The first real glimmer doesn’t show up until Tuesday morning, July 28th, and even then it’s marginal. The only break we’ve got on the radar is Indian River (Southside). The water is sitting at 77° – a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, which is nice but won’t help the waves.
The main issue is the lack of consistent swell energy. The combined energy of all swells directed here is weak, mostly in the 40 to 70 range for the first week, barely cracking 100 (103) on Saturday afternoon the 25th, but that’s with a strong cross-onshore wind and choppy, poor surf. The wind is mostly from the E to NE, onshore or cross-onshore, keeping things bumpy and ugly.
The best chance to actually get wet is on Tuesday morning, July 28th. The wind swings to a light NW cross-offshore, cleaning things up. The waves are still tiny at 2 ft from the S, with a short period of 6 seconds, so it’s weak, wonky energy. The combined swell energy is just 56. It’s surfable but very ordinary. If you’re a beginner, this is small enough to be safe, but the wave quality is poor. For the more experienced, it’s barely a paddle.
Tuesday afternoon, July 28th, gets a glassy moment with a 3 mph W wind, but the swell drops to 2 ft and energy is down to 40. Nothing to get excited about.
After that, we’re back to the same story: small, weak, and mostly cross-onshore or onshore winds through the end of the month and into August. There’s a couple of brief windows of clean conditions on the 30th and 31st, but the swell height is 2 ft to 2 ft with combined energy in the 50-70 range. It’s a dribble, not a surf.
The second week – August 1st through 7th – looks even weaker. The swell stays tiny, rarely above 2 ft, with combined energy mostly under 50 and often under 30. Winds are a mixed bag, but the swell is just too small for any proper wave. The cleanest moments are on the 4th and 6th, but it’s ankle-high.
There really isn’t a standout session in this 16-day window. The only day that comes closest to being worth a look is Tuesday morning, July 28th, for the cleanest conditions and the biggest swell on offer, but it’s a far cry from good. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that’s your window. Otherwise, keep the board in the car and wait for the next system.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu night, min 20°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 21°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Mon night, calm by Tue afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | SE 7 | SE 9 | SE 8 | E 5 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
22 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 37 | 68 | 78 | 75 | 93 | 45 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 45 | 30 | 23 | 18 | 46 | 26 | 18 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:18PM0.87m | 5:15AM0.66m | 6:13PM0.90m | 6:10AM0.66m | 7:03PM0.93m | 6:59AM0.69m | 7:47PM0.96m | 7:45AM0.71m | 8:27PM0.98m | 8:27AM0.73m | 9:04PM0.99m | 9:07AM0.75m | 9:39PM0.99m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:30PM0.24m | 11:01AM0.19m | 00:25AM0.24m | 11:51AM0.19m | 1:14AM0.23m | 12:37PM0.18m | 1:56AM0.22m | 1:20PM0.15m | 2:34AM0.20m | 2:00PM0.12m | 3:08AM0.18m | 2:38PM0.10m | 3:39AM0.15m | |||||||
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | 8 |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 20 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SE 9 | SE 8 | E 5 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ESE 8 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 |
22 | 26 | 27 | 18 | 37 | 6 | 25 | 75 | 53 | 45 | 22 | 15 | 23 | 45 | 30 | 23 | 18 | 46 | 26 | 18 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | NE 5 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 8 | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 4 |
4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 15 | — | — | 34 | 32 | 31 | 23 | 23 | 15 | 24 | 22 | 13 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | S 6 | — | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | S 6 | S 5 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | E 9 | — | SE 5 |
10 | 7 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 9 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | — | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | — | ENE 4 | E 4 | — | ENE 6 | E 6 | — | ENE 7 | — | — | — | S 4 | SW 5 | SSW 6 | — | — | ENE 7 | E 4 | NE 4 |
9 | — | 13 | 25 | — | 68 | 78 | — | 93 | — | — | — | 12 | 39 | 55 | — | — | 10 | 12 | 9 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 141 | 270 | 305 | 39 | 338 | 458 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 2 | 282 | 1352 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 80 | 38 | 282 | 2 |
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.










