Delaware
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Indian River, Delaware. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on ESE swell at 9s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 17mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Aim for the middle of the day — 3-4ft on SSE swell at 6s with 7mph WNW winds. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light WSW winds.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 11mph from the SW.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 12mph SSW winds.
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Indian River Inlet offers a unique rivermouth break where freshwater flows meet the Atlantic, creating fun and forgiving sand-bottom waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The protected bay setting produces smaller, mellower swells with a sandy bottom that's perfect for learning, and the break is less crowded than nearby Delaware beach spots. Water temperature varies seasonally, making fall and spring the most comfortable times to paddle out.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Indian River is 2-3ft with a 9.4s swell period. Wind is S at 8mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Indian River is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.4ft ESE primary swell at 9s, a 0.7ft SSW wind swell swell at 2s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Indian River is Sunday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.3s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Indian River works best with a NE swell and NW winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Indian River. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Indian River is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Indian River Inlet offers a unique rivermouth break where freshwater flows meet the Atlantic, creating fun and forgiving sand-bottom waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The protected bay setting produces smaller, mellower swells with a sandy bottom that's perfect for learning, and the break is less crowded than nearby Delaware beach spots. Water temperature varies seasonally, making fall and spring the most comfortable times to paddle out.
The prime season at Indian River is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Indian River include strong tidal currents, shallow water at low tide, river boat traffic. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Indian River forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
