Surf Forecasts:
Hobe Sound/The Refuge surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 4s period, SSE swell with 21 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 0.8m 4s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s 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 | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hobe Sound/The Refuge over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. It’s your local surf reporter, Rusty, and I’ve been staring at the charts for this stretch of coast, and honestly, it’s a pretty quiet picture for the next couple of weeks. There’s just not much energy in the water at all.
The only spot that’s even on the radar is Hobe Sound/The Refuge (Hobe-Sound). This is a beach and reef setup, fairly consistent, but exposed to the swell. The models have it showing a little pulse of surfable waves, but it’s not until the end of the month – Friday the 28th of August, to be precise. Before that, it’s a whole lot of nothing. We’re talking a solid 10-day stretch with waves too small to bother with. A total blank run.
Now, for that one faint glimmer of hope. On Friday morning the 28th, we’re looking at a small, weak swell from the ENE. The period is a touch short at around 10 seconds, so it’s not going to have much push. The height is only around 1ft. The energy is weak, with a combined score of just 51 in the morning. But the wind is offshore and light, which will keep things clean. It’s a one-out-of-ten kind of day, but it’s the only one that even registers. The afternoon goes glassy with the wind dropping to nothing.
After that, we slide right back into the same old story – small, weak swells, and onshore breezes messing things up, with the risk of thunderstorms making for messy conditions.
Keep your expectations low for this one. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so you won’t need a spring suit.
Alright, that’s the look. It’s a waiting game. Stay tuned.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 27°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 31°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | SSE 3 | S 4 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 4 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SSE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 7 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 12 | 14 | 13 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:22PM0.85m | 4:25AM0.84m | 5:20PM0.88m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:31AM0.06m | 6:57PM0.22m | 7:22AM0.12m | 7:50PM0.28m | 8:17AM0.17m | 8:47PM0.32m | 9:15AM0.20m | 9:46PM0.34m | 10:12AM0.21m | 10:42PM0.34m | 11:05AM0.19m | 11:34PM0.31m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | 7:55 | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 31 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 29 |
Feels °C | 34 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 31 | 32 | 35 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 25 | 30 | 33 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | SSE 4 | ESE 10 | S 3 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 4 | ENE 8 | E 8 | SSE 4 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 4 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 7 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 11 | E 10 | ESE 10 | N 4 | ENE 9 | E 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NE 7 | ENE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 7 |
| kJ | 7 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | E 9 | — | E 8 | E 5 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | NE 6 | E 13 | E 13 | E 8 | E 12 | E 12 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | 8 | 8 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | — | — | SSW 3 | NNW 4 | — | S 3 | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | S 4 | WSW 2 | SSE 4 | S 4 | — | SE 3 | SSE 4 | — | SE 5 | SSE 4 |
| kJ | 6 | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 14 | — | 2 | 21 | — | 14 | 13 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 301 | 219 | 184 | 219 | 308 | 321 | 413 | 875 | 1758 | 1258 | 413 | 360 | 360 | 756 | 113 | 94 | 94 | 236 | 92 |
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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