Surf Forecasts:
Hobe Sound/The Refuge surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 7s period, NE swell with 12 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hobe Sound/The Refuge this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Hobe Sound/The Refuge in the next 16 days are 0.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hobe Sound/The Refuge over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what we’ve got cooking in the Hobe Sound area. I won’t sugarcoat it—this stretch is looking mighty flat for the foreseeable future.
Right now, and for the next couple of weeks, the surf is pretty much a no-show. We are staring down a long, dry gap with nothing worth paddling out for. The swell energy is bottomed out, with readings barely making it into double digits most days. The first few days are especially weak, with combined swell energy values sitting at a meager 12 and 14. That’s not surf, that’s a lake.
We do see a slight tick upwards towards the tail end of the month. On Thursday the 28th of August, the swell direction is from the ENE, wrapping in with a period of 10 seconds and a combined energy of 45. Still, with wave heights only around 1 ft, it’s tiny, and the wind is onshore from the east, so it’ll be lumpy. Saturday the 30th of August offers a glimpse of hope with a morning glass-off from a light NNW breeze. The swell is still tiny at 1 ft, but that glassy surface might make it rideable on a longboard if you’re desperate.
To be honest, the best chance for anything clean might be Sunday morning on the 30th. Hobe Sound/The Refuge (Florida) will see that glassy morning with a tiny ENE swell. The combined energy bumps up to 27, which is weak, but with the wind dead calm and the water temp about average for the time of year, it might be the only window for a gentle float. Don’t expect any power. It’s an exposed beach and reef setup that likes a NE swell, and we are getting ENE, so it’s a bit off-angle. This spot can be inconsistent, and with crowds *sometimes* around, don’t be surprised if you see a few other loggers out there chasing the same ripple.
Outside of that, there’s nothing doing. The rest of the period is plagued by onshore winds, tiny chop, and negligible energy. If the wind swings offshore or we get a proper groundswell, things could change, but for now, it’s a waiting game.
Keep your stick in the rack. This is a classic Florida summer flat spell.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Mon afternoon, min 27°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 32°C on Tue night, min 27°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 11 | ENE 10 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | NE 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | S 4 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 19 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | on | cross-off | off | on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:37PM1.10m | 11:07AM1.09m | 11:18PM1.05m | 11:52AM1.03m | 00:01AM0.99m | 12:38PM0.97m | 00:44AM0.93m | 1:27PM0.91m | 1:32AM0.88m | 2:20PM0.87m | 2:25AM0.84m | 3:20PM0.84m | 3:24AM0.83m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:57AM-0.04m | 5:19PM0.08m | 5:43AM0.01m | 6:07PM0.15m | 6:31AM0.06m | 6:57PM0.22m | 7:22AM0.12m | 7:50PM0.28m | 8:17AM0.17m | 8:47PM0.32m | 9:15AM0.20m | 9:46PM0.34m | |||||||
 |  | | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | 7:58 | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 29 |
Feels °C | 32 | 34 | 34 | 31 | 34 | 36 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 34 | 36 | 33 | 33 | 35 | 31 | 33 | 35 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | SSE 5 | NE 10 | NE 10 | SSE 4 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 3 | ESE 10 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 6 | S 4 | NE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 19 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ESE 4 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 11 | E 10 | ESE 10 | SSE 3 | SE 9 | E 9 | ENE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | S 3 | NE 7 | E 8 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | ENE 10 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | E 8 | NE 6 | E 10 | ESE 9 | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | E 11 |
| kJ | 2 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | — | SE 4 | SSE 5 | — | — | S 3 | — | SSE 2 | S 3 | NNW 4 | SE 2 | SSE 3 | — | SSE 2 | S 4 | — | SE 3 | SSE 3 |
| kJ | 15 | — | 7 | 11 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | 1 | 10 | — | 1 | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 301 | 301 | 1758 | 321 | 301 | 301 | 301 | 219 | 92 | 92 | 219 | 321 | 395 | 875 | 413 | 894 | 904 | 308 | 697 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Florida | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Hobe Sound/The Refuge Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Hobe Sound/The Refuge provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Hobe Sound/The Refuge can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Hobe Sound/The Refuge 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 (Hobe Sound/The Refuge) 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 Hobe Sound/The Refuge 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.
Hobe Sound/The Refuge is 14 km (9 miles) from Palm City. If you plan a vacation in South Florida, look for hotels and other accommodation in Palm City. Palm City has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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