
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, SSW swell with 176 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period with SE 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. 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 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, but this time in feet and miles per hour for those who think that way.
Let’s look at Indian River (Southside). Honestly, it’s a long, dry stretch for surfers. We’ve got a big gap of nothing much before anything shows up.
From Wednesday the 2nd all the way through to Friday the 11th of September, it’s tiny. Waist-high at best, mostly under 2 feet, with cross-onshore and cross-off winds that just mess up the surface. The combined swell energy is weak, all under 100, and the reports are “poor surf conditions.” There’s no reason to get wet.
The water is 77°, which is about 4° warmer than usual – that’s noticeably warm for this time of year.
The one and only day worth talking about is Saturday the 12th of September. The morning brings a solid 7ft ENE groundswell with a combined energy of 449 – that’s strong. The period is 8 seconds, so it’s a bit short-period, but the size and a clean cross-off wind from the WNW will make it a standout. This is expert-only territory – over 5 feet and pushing 8 feet, so leave the foam boards at home. It’s a beach/jetty setup, so expect some heavy drops and power. It’ll be clean in the morning, but this spot does get crowded, so get in early.
That afternoon the surf drops to almost flat and glassy, so the window is narrow.
After the 12th, it’s back to tiny surf and lumpy cross-shore winds for the rest of the forecast. A couple of days around the 16th and 17th see a bump to 2-3 feet, but with strong winds and low energy, it’s not going to be any good.
So, if you’re an experienced surfer, your only play is the morning of Saturday the 12th of September. Don’t sleep on it, because the rest of the 16 days is a bust.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Thu afternoon, min 22°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | S 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | ESE 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
78 | 65 | 43 | 40 | 30 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 6 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 15 | 34 | 32 | 42 | 31 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 50 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:49PM0.99m | 1:00AM0.80m | 1:50PM0.98m | 1:59AM0.75m | 3:02PM0.98m | 3:12AM0.73m | 4:21PM0.99m | 4:31AM0.73m | 5:34PM1.01m | 5:46AM0.76m | 6:36PM1.04m | 6:50AM0.80m | 7:31PM1.05m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:57PM0.20m | 6:51AM0.10m | 8:02PM0.24m | 7:50AM0.13m | 9:16PM0.26m | 8:56AM0.14m | 10:29PM0.24m | 10:09AM0.13m | 11:36PM0.20m | 11:19AM0.10m | 00:33AM0.14m | 12:23PM0.05m | 1:23AM0.09m | ||||||||
6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 33 | 32 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 25 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 36 | 34 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | E 6 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | S 4 | S 6 | SSE 5 | S 5 | SSE 6 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 6 |
78 | 65 | 22 | 40 | 30 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 34 | 32 | 42 | 31 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 50 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | S 4 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | E 6 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 7 | SSE 6 | E 7 | SE 8 | S 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 9 |
1 | 1 | 43 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 4 | — | — | S 3 | E 6 | E 5 | E 5 | E 7 | ESE 8 | E 7 | ESE 9 | S 5 | — | S 5 | — | SE 8 | — | — | — | ENE 9 |
— | 1 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 11 | — | — | — | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | ENE 4 | — | — | S 3 | — | — | NW 2 | N 3 | NE 4 | — | SE 3 | S 3 | SE 3 | SE 3 | S 3 | S 3 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 5 | NE 4 |
8 | 18 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 6 | — | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 21 | 29 | 52 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 256 | 691 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 43 | 202 | 364 | 515 | 330 | 253 | 568 | 538 | 141 | 1165 | 567 | 50 | 145 | 213 | 204 |
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.










