Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 6s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, S swell with 42 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 6s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Indian River (Southside) in the next 16 days are 0.9m 5s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s be straight with you. The next two weeks around Indian River (Southside) are looking pretty bleak. We’re staring down a long stretch of small, weak, and messy surf with very little to get excited about. There’s a solid gap of poor conditions from now until the end of August, with only a brief flicker of something surfable near the end of the first week.
The standout in this whole period is a short window on Sunday afternoon, August 23rd. We’ll see a modest bump in swell, around 3ft from the south, with a period of 6 seconds. The wind will be moderate offshore from the west-northwest, which will clean things up nicely. The combined wave energy hits 105 (moderate), so there’s a little push behind it. It’s not going to be epic, but it’s the only real chance for a wave all week. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 77°, nothing wild.
After that, we’re back into a dry spell. The rest of the month and into early September offers nothing but tiny, choppy, or onshore dribble. By Thursday, September 3rd, the wind picks up strong from the northwest, but the swell is still small and weak, maxing out at 4ft from the northeast. The energy is moderate (149), but the wind is fresh and cross-offshore, keeping it clean if you’re desperate. Still, it’s not going to be a day to remember.
Honestly, for the entire 16-day window, the surf is small, weak, and rarely clean. If you’re a beginner, most of this is fine as the swell never gets above 5ft, but it’s just not good. For experienced surfers, there’s only one afternoon worth paddling out. If the wind stays strong and the swell stays small, this setup might be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on a few of those windier days.
Keep your expectations low, and maybe the ocean will surprise us. Until then, I’m not holding my breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | S 4 | SSE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ESE 13 | E 8 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | S 5 | SSE 5 | S 6 | E 5 | E 5 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 18 | 14 | 19 | 37 | 30 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 22 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 26 | 23 | 42 | 23 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 9 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 3:35PM0.88m | 3:33AM0.68m | 4:38PM0.89m | 4:34AM0.68m | 5:38PM0.91m | 5:34AM0.69m | 6:30PM0.94m | 6:27AM0.72m | 7:15PM0.96m | 7:15AM0.76m | 7:55PM0.98m | 7:58AM0.79m | 8:31PM0.99m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:26AM0.23m | 9:56PM0.30m | 9:23AM0.26m | 11:00PM0.31m | 10:22AM0.27m | 11:56PM0.31m | 11:19AM0.25m | 00:44AM0.28m | 12:10PM0.22m | 1:24AM0.25m | 12:54PM0.18m | 1:58AM0.22m | 1:36PM0.13m | 2:29AM0.18m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — |
mm | — | — | 10 | — | 1 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | — | — | 15 |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 25 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 27 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 24 | 19 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | S 4 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | ESE 11 | S 5 | SSE 5 | S 6 | E 5 | E 5 | ENE 5 |
| kJ | 18 | 14 | 19 | 9 | 4 | 19 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 22 | 17 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 23 | 42 | 23 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 9 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 5 | E 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | E 6 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | E 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 7 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 26 | 1 | 29 | 22 | 6 | 15 | 13 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 6 | E 15 | E 15 | SSE 4 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | E 8 | ESE 12 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | — | — | E 7 | E 6 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 11 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 4 | S 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | — | SE 4 | S 4 | S 4 | — | W 2 | WNW 3 | NNW 3 | — | SSE 3 | SE 5 | — | — | N 3 | — | SSE 2 |
| kJ | — | 13 | 40 | 37 | 30 | — | 1 | 6 | 14 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 7 | 35 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 568 | 591 | 591 | 1039 | 1493 | 335 | 282 | 102 | 209 | 2 | 43 | 145 | 80 | 43 | 141 | 141 | 8 | 22 | 41 | 318 | 270 |
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.
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