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Ponce Inlet Surf Forecast, Florida - East Coast

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Florida - East Coast

Ponce Inlet surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor - Fair
Wave Height
2-3ft
knee to waist high
Swell Period
6.5s
Wind
11mph
ESE / Gusts 14mph
Conditions
Poor - Fair
Active Swells
Primary
2.0ft @ 6sNE
Secondary
0.3ft @ 12sENE
Wind Swell
2.4ft @ 4sESE

Ponce Inlet 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Ponce 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: 23ft, 7s period, rated Poor. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, 16mph out of the ESE, poor conditions.

Sun, May 17: 34ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on E swell at 8s with 8mph SE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 15mph from the E and dropping conditions to poor.

Mon, May 18: 34ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on E swell at 8s and gentle ESE breeze. The E wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.

Tue, May 19: 34ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on E swell at 6s and gentle E breeze. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.

Wed, May 20: 34ft, 8s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on E swell at 5s with gentle ESE breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the E and dropping conditions to poor - fair.

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Forecast Charts

Ponce Inlet Surf Spot Guide

Break
Rivermouth
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Heavy
Best Swell
SE
Best Wind
SW
Season
Fall

Ponce Inlet's north side features a legitimate right-hand wave peeling off the north jetty of the Ponce de Leon Inlet. It provides longer rides than the NSB side and can handle huge swells. Works at all tides but best at high tide when water gets over the outer bar. One of Florida's most consistently cranking spots, but expect aggressive localism and tense lineups.

LocalismStrong currentsJetty rocksSharksBoat traffic

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Ponce Inlet Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Ponce Inlet?

The current wave height at Ponce Inlet is 2-3ft with a 6.5s 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.

What is the breaking wave height at Ponce Inlet?

The current breaking wave height at Ponce Inlet is 2-3ft, produced by a 2ft NE primary swell at 6s, a 0.3ft ENE secondary swell at 12s, a 2.4ft ESE 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.

When is the best time to surf Ponce Inlet?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Ponce Inlet is Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 5ft waves, a 5.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Ponce Inlet?

Ponce Inlet works best with a SE swell and SW winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.

What tide is best at Ponce Inlet?

Tide plays a big role at Ponce 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.

What kind of wave is Ponce Inlet and who is it for?

Ponce Inlet is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Ponce Inlet's north side features a legitimate right-hand wave peeling off the north jetty of the Ponce de Leon Inlet. It provides longer rides than the NSB side and can handle huge swells. Works at all tides but best at high tide when water gets over the outer bar. One of Florida's most consistently cranking spots, but expect aggressive localism and tense lineups.

When is the best season to surf Ponce Inlet?

The prime season at Ponce 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.

Are there any hazards to know about at Ponce Inlet?

Common hazards at Ponce Inlet include localism, strong currents, jetty rocks, sharks, boat traffic. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Ponce Inlet surf forecast?

Our Ponce 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.