
Surf Forecasts:
Indian River (Southside) surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period, ENE swell with 100 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period with ENE 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. 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 0.7m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Indian River (Southside) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it for Indian River (Southside).
Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – this is a grim stretch. We're looking at a solid 16-day window with barely a whisper of a wave. For a spot that's exposed to swell, having virtually no energy for this long is a real kick in the teeth. The first surf that's even worth paddling out for doesn't show up until Wednesday, September 16th, and even that is barely anything.
From the 4th of September all the way until the morning of the 16th, it's a total bust. Day after day of tiny, weak slop with combined swell energy values in the low double-digits, telling you there's just nothing out there. There's a small bump from the ENE on the afternoon of the 6th – pushing 4ft and hitting energy of 54 – but it's getting slammed by a strong onshore breeze, making it pretty much a write-off. The whole first week and a half is a mix of cross-shore junk and light onshore ripples, with a few cleaner moments but no size to back it up. We get a little taste of 3ft from the ENE on the 14th, with some energy hitting 109, but it's a cross-shore wind and still pretty ordinary.
The only real blip of hope, and I mean the *only* one, is on Wednesday, September 16th. We finally get a bit of wind luck. The morning shows a light offshore from the W, going cross-off from the WNW in the afternoon, with the comment saying the conditions will be clean. The swell is a paltry 3ft from the NE, and the period is a super short 5 seconds. The wave energy finally creeps up a bit to 57, but let’s be real, that period is so short it's going to be crumbly and weak. This is beginner-level surf at best. For a break recommended for advanced surfers, that's a major disappointment. There are no standouts here, just a single day that’s "surfable" if you’re desperate for a paddle.
After that, we slide right back into the dirt for the rest of the period. The morning of the 19th sees a bit more energy – 3ft from the E with an energy of 156 – but the cross-off wind from the WNW at 16 mph is going to make a mess of it. Don't get your hopes up for that one.
Bottom line: there’s nothing here to plan a session around. The one day that's clean (Sept 16th) is tiny and weak. This is a tough run for Indian River.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Thu night, min 22°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | ENE 6 | ESE 4 | E 5 | E 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | S 4 | ESE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
18 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 53 | 70 | 51 | 100 | 57 | 32 | 32 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 8 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 7:46AM0.86m | 8:19PM1.05m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:21PM0.01m | 2:08AM0.04m | ||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
7:27 | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:17 | — | |
mm | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 30 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 33 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | SSE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 6 | ESE 9 | S 6 | SE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ESE 9 |
18 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 33 | 100 | 57 | 32 | 32 | 18 | 16 | 8 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 5 | E 7 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | S 6 | — | S 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | ESE 10 | ENE 9 |
5 | 13 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | — | — | — | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | SE 10 | — | — |
— | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | — | — | — | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 4 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | — | NW 2 | NW 3 | NE 3 | — | SE 3 | ESE 4 | E 5 | E 5 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | SSE 5 | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | S 4 | S 5 |
1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 5 | 10 | 53 | 70 | 51 | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 68 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 364 | 2436 | 509 | 515 | 2436 | 253 | 459 | 266 | 38 | 38 | 194 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 43 | 209 | 1271 | 1089 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Delaware | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










