Florida - East Coast
Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 11mph ESE winds.
Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 11mph ESE winds.
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Fort Lauderdale for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Fort Lauderdale, Florida - East Coast. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with moderate ESE wind around 11mph.
Fri, Sep 4: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with light SSE winds.
Sat, Sep 5: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with gentle SE breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 11mph by PM.
Sun, Sep 6: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light S winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
Mon, Sep 7: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light winds out of the SW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 12mph by PM.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when Fort Lauderdale turns Good.
Check Fort Lauderdale from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Fort Lauderdale on Florida's East Coast is a mellow beach break that catches easterly swells rolling in off the Atlantic, offering gentle, crumbly waves that are ideal for beginners and longboarders. The surf here is typically small and consistent, with occasional bumps from passing tropical systems in the fall months bringing the most rideable conditions. What makes this spot special is its laid-back vibe and accessibility, set against the backdrop of one of South Florida's most vibrant coastal cities.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Fort Lauderdale is 0-1ft with a 5.4s swell period. Wind is SE at 13mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Fort Lauderdale is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.7ft N wind swell swell at 5s, a 0.7ft SE wind swell swell at 2s, a 0.6ft NE wind swell swell at 5s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Fort Lauderdale is Friday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 1ft waves, a 4s swell period, and conditions rated Very Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Fort Lauderdale works best with a E swell and W winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Fort Lauderdale. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Fort Lauderdale is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Fort Lauderdale on Florida's East Coast is a mellow beach break that catches easterly swells rolling in off the Atlantic, offering gentle, crumbly waves that are ideal for beginners and longboarders. The surf here is typically small and consistent, with occasional bumps from passing tropical systems in the fall months bringing the most rideable conditions. What makes this spot special is its laid-back vibe and accessibility, set against the backdrop of one of South Florida's most vibrant coastal cities.
The prime season at Fort Lauderdale is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Fort Lauderdale include strong rip currents, crowded lineups during swells, boat traffic, jellyfish, sharks. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Fort Lauderdale forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable; extended forecasts show general trends. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
