Florida - East Coast
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Hillsboro Inlet, Florida - East Coast. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor - fair with moderate ESE wind around 11mph.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor - fair with 10mph from the E.
Mon, May 18: 4–5ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 4-5ft on NNE swell at 10s with 13mph E winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Tue, May 19: 3–4ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 4-5ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 13mph out of the E.
Wed, May 20: 3–4ft, 4s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 10mph ESE winds.
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Big N swells break point-style off the south side of Hillsboro Inlet, with sandbars running in a fashion similar to Reef Road. When conditions align (rare), the place gets hollow. Needs a legitimately big swell to turn on, making it one of the most inconsistent breaks in the region, but when it works it offers some of the better-shaped waves in Broward County.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Hillsboro Inlet is 2-3ft with a 4s swell period. Wind is ESE at 11mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Hillsboro Inlet is 2-3ft, produced by a 0.5ft NNE primary swell at 7s, a 0.2ft NE secondary swell at 11s, a 0.2ft NE tertiary swell at 13s, a 1.8ft E wind swell swell at 4s. 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 Hillsboro Inlet is Monday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 4ft waves, a 4.9s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Hillsboro Inlet works best with a N 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 Hillsboro Inlet. 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.
Hillsboro Inlet is a point with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Big N swells break point-style off the south side of Hillsboro Inlet, with sandbars running in a fashion similar to Reef Road. When conditions align (rare), the place gets hollow. Needs a legitimately big swell to turn on, making it one of the most inconsistent breaks in the region, but when it works it offers some of the better-shaped waves in Broward County.
The prime season at Hillsboro Inlet 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 Hillsboro Inlet include strong currents, boat traffic, inlet channel, jellyfish, sharks, shifting sandbars. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Hillsboro Inlet 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
