Surf Forecasts:
Hobe Sound/The Refuge surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, S swell with 50 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 1.0m 5s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 2AM. 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 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hobe Sound/The Refuge over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a long, hard look at what’s happening in our corner of the world. Gotta be straight with you – this is a tough one. The next 16 days are looking pretty grim for decent waves. We’re staring down a long stretch of tiny, weak surf with barely any energy behind it. The first real window of opportunity doesn't even open up until the very end of the period, and even then, it's a gamble. So, for the most part, we're looking at a flat spell all the way through.
Let's dive into the details. For the first week and a half, from Wednesday the 15th right through to Tuesday the 29th of July, it's a near-complete write-off. The combined swell energy is stuck in the low double digits, barely cracking 30, and most days it's hovering around 7 to 16 – that's about as weak as it gets. The swell is tiny, barely 2ft, and from the NE, which isn't really doing us any favors. Periods are short, between 4 and 9 seconds, meaning no real power or shape. On top of that, the winds are mostly cross or cross-onshore, keeping things messy and choppy. There are a few moments of clean, glassy conditions on the morning of the 15th and 16th, but with nothing to ride, it's just a calm ocean. Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th see a little bump in energy, but it’s still in the "poor" category with a short period windswell and onshore winds.
Now, the one bright spot, and it's a long way off, appears on Wednesday the 30th of July. We finally see a small spike in the NE swell energy, hitting 26 in the morning. The swell height is still minimal at 2ft, but the period jumps to 10 seconds, which is a significant improvement. The wind is a gentle cross-onshore breeze, which is workable. The best bet here, and really the only break worth mentioning, is Hobe Sound/The Refuge. It's a beach and reef setup that's fairly consistent and exposed to the NE. Given the tiny size and long wait, this isn't one for the beginners. It's more of a "get the longboard out and see if you can find a knee-high bump" kind of day. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
So, to sum it up: the next 10 days are a flat, frustrating wait. The only promising window is on the 30th, but it's a long-range call and the swell is still very small. Keep your expectations low, and maybe it's a good time to tune up your gear.
Stay patient,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 31°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 27°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 5 | S 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | ENE 9 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | ENE 8 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | E 7 | SE 5 | SSE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 28 | 19 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 50 | 5 | 24 | 17 | 8 | 19 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 20 | 4 | 8 | 28 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:59AM1.05m | 9:37PM1.11m | 9:52AM1.05m | 10:24PM1.10m | 10:44AM1.04m | 11:09PM1.06m | 11:35AM1.01m | 11:54PM1.01m | 12:26PM0.96m | 00:39AM0.95m | 1:18PM0.91m | 1:26AM0.89m | 2:11PM0.87m | 2:15AM0.84m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:15PM-0.21m | 3:46AM-0.08m | 4:07PM-0.17m | 4:38AM-0.09m | 4:59PM-0.10m | 5:30AM-0.08m | 5:51PM-0.03m | 6:22AM-0.06m | 6:44PM0.05m | 7:14AM-0.03m | 7:39PM0.12m | 8:06AM0.01m | 8:34PM0.17m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 |
Feels °C | 31 | 34 | 33 | 30 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ESE 4 | ENE 8 | NE 7 | SE 4 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ESE 4 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ESE 4 | E 7 | E 7 |
| kJ | 28 | 19 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | E 8 | E 8 | N 5 | N 4 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | E 7 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | S 4 | E 7 | E 7 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | E 10 | NE 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | — | — | E 7 | — | NE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 4 | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 2 | S 4 | — | — | S 4 | S 4 | SSE 3 | S 5 | S 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | S 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | S 4 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | — | SE 5 | SSE 4 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 6 | — | — | 11 | 2 | 8 | 50 | 5 | 24 | 17 | 3 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 20 | — | 8 | 28 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 308 | 308 | 321 | 1252 | 1050 | 321 | 1258 | 1589 | 1758 | 1258 | 1050 | 1145 | 42 | 402 | 402 | 875 | 547 | 875 | 308 | 731 | 875 |
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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