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Aerial satellite view of Hillsboro Inlet surf break in Broward - Miami Dade, Florida, United States
Broward - Miami Dade, Florida, United States

Hillsboro Inlet

26.255, -80.081
Edited by Tom Jackson
Verified May 2026
Editor-verifiedCross-checked against Surfline
At a glance
  • Hillsboro Inlet is a left over mixed, long point-style left, hollow on size, sand and reef.
  • Intermediate to advanced ability, working 4-10 ft.
  • Peak September to April, water 20-29°C.
Left · MixedIntermediate → Advanced4–10 ftJan – Dec

Sandbars off the south side of Hillsboro Inlet produce point-style lefts on big N swells, behaving more like a structured point break than a typical South Florida beach. NNE and SE swells both light it up, with WNW winds keeping faces clean. Low to incoming tide is when the wave organizes best, and the place can get genuinely hollow when a real swell arrives. Intermediate to advanced surfers will get the most from it, the current can significantly increase paddle effort depending on swell direction, so factor that into your session plan. Bottom: sand and reef. Season: fall through spring. Consistency: needs size to show its best, so it fires less often than nearby spots. Sea lice and man-of-war are real hazards here, especially in summer months, and the inlet current demands respect. Localism is essentially nonexistent by South Florida standards, which makes the moderate crowds easier to deal with.

Wave fit

Skill suited
Intermediate → Advanced
BegIntAdv
Best months
Jan – Dec
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Character
Long point-style left, hollow on size, sand and reef.

Conditions

When it works
Hazards
Watch currentsMan-of-war and sea lice.
Trip planning

Quick facts

Water temp
20° to 29°C
Wetsuit
Boardies to 2mm
What to bring
  • Shortboard 6ft to 6ft 4in for punchy hollow days
  • Step-up 6ft 8in to 7ft for bigger NNE swells
  • Longboard or funboard for smaller, slower days
Lineup
Mellow lineup
Where it sits

Location

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About this break

What it's actually like

Crowd & Localism

Crowds are moderate and the vibe is welcoming. Nobody claims ownership of this lineup, which is refreshingly typical for South Florida. Moderate traffic means you'll share waves, but it rarely becomes a frustrating session. Dawn patrol on bigger NNE swell days is the obvious move to get waves before numbers build.

Access & Facilities

Parking requires some patience, as is standard across coastal Broward County. Street parking near the inlet is limited and can fill quickly on good days. No dedicated surf facilities on site. Bring your own water and sun protection. Water quality is surprisingly clean given the surrounding development.

Nearby Alternatives

Reef Road to the south is the regional benchmark for similar NNE point-style setups, with considerably better quality when the same swell is running. Pompano Beach offers more consistent beach break peaks when Hillsboro needs more size than the swell is delivering.

10-day swell, wind and tide

Hillsboro Inlet surf forecast

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Forecast by Windy.app

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Frequently asked

What you need to know before paddling out at Hillsboro Inlet

What skill level is Hillsboro Inlet suited for?
Hillsboro Inlet is a mixed bottom, long point-style left, hollow on size, sand and reef, break suited for intermediate through advanced surfers.
What size does Hillsboro Inlet work best at?
Working size is 4 to 10 ft. Below 4 ft the swell goes flat. Above 10 ft it tends to close out.
When is the best season to surf Hillsboro Inlet?
Hillsboro Inlet fires from September through April. Outside that window the swell window narrows and the lineup goes quiet.
What swell direction does Hillsboro Inlet need?
Hillsboro Inlet switches on with swells out of the NW to SE (315 to 135 degrees).
What are the main hazards at Hillsboro Inlet?
Main hazards at Hillsboro Inlet: Watch currents, man-of-war and sea lice..
What type of wave is Hillsboro Inlet?
Hillsboro Inlet is a left-breaking wave over mixed. Long point-style left, hollow on size, sand and reef.

Sources

  • Surfline
Hillsboro Inlet
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