Indian River (Southside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Indian River (Southside) over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a pretty bleak run ahead, and there’s honestly no standout surf to get excited about. We’ve got a solid 16-day window stretching from Wednesday the 8th of July right through to Thursday the 23rd of July, but the waves just won’t show up in any meaningful way.

Right from the get-go on Wednesday morning the 8th, we’re looking at tiny 2 ft swell from the ENE with a short period of 6 seconds and combined energy sitting at a weak 46. The wind’s coming from the NE at 19 mph, putting it cross-onshore and leaving things choppy. Conditions are poor, and it stays that way through Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday the 9th and Friday the 10th. Friday morning does see a brief moment of clean surf with a light offshore from the W at 6 mph, but the swell is still only 2 ft from the SSE and weak – surfable but very ordinary, nothing to drive for.

Through the weekend and into next week, it’s more of the same: tiny swells, short periods, and mostly cross-onshore or onshore winds. Saturday the 11th has a glassy moment in the afternoon with 1 ft from the SSE, but it’s barely a ripple. Sunday the 12th brings stronger ENE winds up to 16 mph and a messy 3 ft onshore wave. By Monday the 13th, we see a bump in size to 4 ft in the morning and 6 ft in the afternoon from the ENE, with combined energy climbing to 147 then 280 – moderate wave energy. But the wind is cross-onshore at 12-16 mph, and the period is still short at 7 seconds, so it’s choppy and poor. This size is getting too much for beginners, but with the wind ruining it, even experienced surfers won’t find much joy.

Tuesday the 14th has a marginal morning with 5 ft from the ESE and a slightly better 8-second period, but the wind is cross-onshore from the NNE at 6 mph, leaving a bit of texture. Still not worth a paddle out in my book. From there, it fades back into tiny, weak surf for the rest of the run. A few clean windows pop up – like Wednesday morning the 15th (3 ft from the ESE, 8-second period, clean with a light cross-offshore) and Friday morning the 17th (4 ft from the NE, glassy with no wind) – but the wave heights are tiny and the energy is low. Even the glassy conditions can’t save these waist-high sliders.

The water’s sitting at a very warm 78°F on Wednesday the 8th, which is 6°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s unusual, so you’ll be comfortable in boardshorts if you do go for a splash, but don’t expect any real waves under you.

The best of a bad bunch? Honestly, nothing stands out. If I had to pick, maybe Friday morning the 10th with that offshore wind and clean 2 ft swell, or Friday morning the 17th with glassy conditions and 4 ft from the NE. But these are gutless, short-period waves. The swell direction from the SSE is okay for this break (Indian River Southside likes a SSE swell), but the size and power just aren’t there. Crowds could be around – the spot is often crowded – but with surf this poor, I doubt many will be out.

It’s a blank run for the whole 16 days, and for this area, that’s not too unusual when the pattern goes flat. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d leave the board in the car and go for a fish instead.

Rusty.

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