
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, S swell with 83 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about your local stretch. I’m Rusty, and I’ve been staring at this forecast for Indian River (Southside) and, well... I’ve got to be straight with you. It’s not looking good, mate.
This is a tough run. We are looking at a solid block of poor surf conditions stretching from Friday, August 7th, all the way through to Wednesday, August 19th. That’s nearly two weeks of barely anything worth paddling out for. We’re talking tiny, weak swells—mostly below 2 ft—and cross-off or onshore winds messing things up. The combined wave energy is barely cracking 60 (weak) for most of that time, and often it’s sitting in the teens or single digits. You’d be better off taking the dog for a walk.
There’s a tiny glimmer on Sunday, August 9th, with glassy conditions in the morning—wind is dead calm, WSW at 3 mph—but the swell is only 2 ft and coming from the south with a short period of 6 seconds. It’s clean, but it’s flat. Not worth getting wet for.
The first real chance of anything surfable hits Thursday, August 20th. The morning brings a W offshore wind at 9 mph and a clean, glassy surface. Swell bumps up to 2 ft from the SE with a period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy finally hits 88 (still weak, but it’s something). It’s described as “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions”—and I’d agree. This is the standout of the whole outlook, and that says a lot. The wind is gentle offshore, so it’ll be clean, but the waves will be small and a bit weak. If you’re desperate, Thursday morning is your only shot. The afternoon holds similar size with a NNW cross-off, but that offshore in the morning is the pick.
After that, it’s back to onshore junk. By Friday, August 21st, we’re seeing 3 ft of swell, but it’s short-period S swell (5 seconds) with onshore E winds at 12 mph—total chop. Not worth it. Saturday, August 22nd, is more of the same.
Water temp is sitting at 76°F, which is about normal for this time of year—nothing wild there.
This is one of those stretches where the ocean just doesn’t want to play ball. It happens. Forecasts can change, but right now, don’t hold your breath.
Stay patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 34°C on Sat afternoon, min 23°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 22°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 4 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 5 | SSE 6 | S 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 4 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
28 | 72 | 25 | 39 | 68 | 18 | 15 | 31 | 26 | 32 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:26PM0.96m | 4:30AM0.70m | 5:39PM1.01m | 5:46AM0.72m | 6:46PM1.05m | 6:54AM0.75m | 7:44PM1.08m | 7:55AM0.79m | 8:37PM1.09m | 8:49AM0.84m | 9:25PM1.09m | 9:40AM0.87m | 10:10PM1.05m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:39PM0.22m | 10:19AM0.08m | 11:47PM0.18m | 11:25AM0.05m | 00:48AM0.13m | 12:28PM0.01m | 1:42AM0.08m | 1:28PM-0.03m | 2:31AM0.03m | 2:23PM-0.06m | 3:18AM-0.00m | 3:17PM-0.06m | 4:02AM-0.02m | |||||||
— | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 32 | 28 | 29 | 34 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 28 | 31 | 34 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 32 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | E 9 | S 6 | SE 8 | SSE 6 | S 6 | SE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 10 | SSE 6 | S 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | S 4 | SSE 5 |
9 | 2 | 22 | 22 | 68 | 18 | 8 | 31 | 26 | 18 | 4 | 18 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | SE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 10 | SE 10 | E 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
2 | 2 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | — | E 9 | — | — | E 9 | E 11 | E 11 | E 8 | E 9 | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | SSE 5 | E 7 |
1 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | S 6 | WSW 3 | S 6 | SW 3 | — | S 6 | S 5 | — | S 6 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 |
28 | 72 | 1 | 39 | 5 | — | 15 | 37 | — | 32 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1466 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 43 | 161 | 22 | 43 | 2365 | 90 | 364 | 175 | 330 | 1047 | 515 | 458 | 476 | 335 | 509 |
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.











