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.
Sun, May 10: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with strong SE wind at 14mph.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — Flat and very poor conditions with light winds out of the S. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
Tue, May 12: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — Flat and mostly very poor with light SSE winds.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light ENE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with gentle N breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
8s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 0-1ft with a 3.6s swell period. Wind is SE at 14mph and 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 Hillsboro Inlet is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.5ft NNE primary swell at 7s, a 0.5ft NNW secondary swell at 7s, a 0.3ft NE tertiary swell at 9s, a 2ft SE 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 Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 8.15s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. 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.
