Jupiter Inlet South Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, I’ll be straight with you: the next 16 days look pretty grim for a proper paddle. The first solid recommendation isn’t until the 23rd of August, and even then it’s a struggle.

Let’s start with the Jupiter Inlet South Jetty. The water is sitting at a warm 86°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing weird there.

For the first week, from Sunday the 23rd right through to the end of August, it’s a real tale of tiny, weak swell. We’re talking 0.7ft to 3ft of mostly short-period junk, with the combined swell energy barely breaking 50 (moderate energy at best). The wind is constantly cross-on or onshore, making it choppy and messy. There’s not a single standout session in that whole stretch. The wave comment says “poor surf conditions” every single time, and honestly, it’s hard to argue. The one morning on the 30th of August with 3ft at 5 seconds from the ESE just isn’t enough to get excited about. It’s more of a knee-paddler than a surf session.

Heading into the 1st of September, the pattern doesn’t really change. We see a few pulses of longer period swell, like the 15-second groundswell on the 1st and 2nd of September, but the height is still only 0.7ft. That’s a long-period swell with no push behind it—it’s like a promise that never gets kept. The energy creeps up to 40 (weak), but the wind is still onshore or cross-on, so it’s just not going to shape up.

The only flicker of something that might be worth a look comes on the 7th of September. Monday morning shows 4ft of NE swell with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy is 135 (moderate), and the wind is light cross-off from the SE, which could clean it up a bit. That’s the biggest swell of the whole forecast, and it’s the closest to a decent wave. It’s still a bit short-period, but if you’re desperate, that Monday morning is your best bet. The afternoon turns onshore again, so it’s a short window.

Because the swell situation is so poor for so long, and the winds are never truly offshore, there’s no single break that stands out as a winner. If you’re a beginner, anything over 5ft isn’t a worry, but the quality is just not there. The jetty is a fairly exposed spot, and the optimum swell direction is NE, so the 7th of September is at least coming from the right angle. But honestly, if you’re a kite surfer, the onshore wind and small, choppy waves might be more your thing than a paddler’s.

Rusty

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