Surf Forecasts:
Hobe Sound/The Refuge surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period, E swell with 62 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 1.1m 5s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hobe Sound/The Refuge over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking in the water over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, we’re looking at a long, flat spell to kick things off. For the first fifteen days, it’s a real struggle to find anything rideable, with tiny waves and poor conditions. The only glimmer of hope comes right at the very end of the forecast period.
The one spot that might offer a bit of a pulse is Hobe Sound/The Refuge. This is a beach and reef setup, and it’s fairly consistent, but it’s been a desert out there. The first real chance for a surf comes on Wednesday, September 16th. We’re expecting a jump in the swell, with wave heights around 5ft to 5ft coming from the NE. The period is a short 8 seconds, so it’s windswell, not a classic groundswell. The combined energy of the swell is moderate at 271, so there’s some push. The water temp is sitting at 86°, which is about normal for this time of year.
The morning of the 16th has a light cross-onshore breeze, which will leave some texture on the face. The afternoon gets more onshore, which will chop things up. The swell is big enough that it might be a bit much for beginners, and with the short period, it’ll be a bit crumbly and the sets will be inconsistent. It’s not a standout gem, but after two weeks of nothing, it’s the only game in town. Expect some crowds, as this is a spot that can get busy when there’s something to ride.
The rest of the 16-day window? It’s a blank. We’ve got day after day of poor surf, tiny heights, and onshore winds. The early mornings on the 6th and 7th are glassy but with waves barely 0.3ft, you’re not going anywhere. For a few days there, the combined energy dips to single digits – that’s about as weak as it gets. It’s a tough run.
So, to sum it up: don’t bother paddling out until the 16th, and even then, keep your expectations in check. The setup might actually be more interesting for kite surfing than a paddle session if you’re looking for some action.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 27°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | ESE 11 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 5 | ENE 9 | E 4 | E 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 9 | NE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 14 | 22 | 18 | 11 | 20 | 15 | 12 | 53 | 36 | 26 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 11:24PM1.04m | 12:11PM1.07m | 00:13AM1.01m | 1:08PM1.04m | 1:11AM0.99m | 2:13PM1.01m | 2:18AM0.98m | 3:24PM1.01m | 3:32AM0.99m | 4:34PM1.05m | 4:45AM1.04m | 5:36PM1.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:21PM0.19m | 5:43AM0.05m | 6:14PM0.24m | 6:40AM0.08m | 7:15PM0.29m | 7:46AM0.11m | 8:24PM0.31m | 8:58AM0.12m | 9:36PM0.31m | 10:08AM0.10m | 10:44PM0.27m | 11:12AM0.08m | 11:44PM0.20m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | |  |  | | | |  |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — |
mm | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 14 | 2 | 7 | 5 | — | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 5 |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 34 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 10 | E 5 | NE 9 | ENE 8 | E 8 | S 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | E 8 | — | E 8 | NE 9 | SSE 3 | E 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 5 | 10 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ESE 9 | ENE 9 | — | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 4 | ENE 8 | E 8 | SE 4 | E 7 | NE 6 | E 7 | E 8 | NE 8 | ENE 4 |
| kJ | 14 | 22 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 15 | — | 2 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | ENE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | — | ESE 9 | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | N 7 | N 7 | — | E 9 | NE 6 | NE 8 | — | E 8 |
| kJ | 3 | 12 | 10 | 9 | — | 7 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | SE 4 | — | — | E 5 | — | E 4 | E 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | — | — | SSE 4 | — | SE 4 | SSE 3 | — | — | SE 4 |
| kJ | 5 | 1 | — | — | 20 | — | 12 | 53 | 36 | 26 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 380 | 380 | 42 | 380 | 184 | 784 | 301 | 219 | 851 | 92 | 184 | 377 | 904 | 697 | 413 | 321 | 875 | 413 | 321 | 1252 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Florida | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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