Beach & Tourism

Rough Surf, Rip Currents Linger in Boca Raton Wednesday; Rip Current Advisory Through Friday

by
Daniel Nee
April 22, 2026

A rip current advisory lingered in Boca Raton on Wednesday and the surf remained rough after a cold front brought strong winds to the region on Tuesday, with the National Weather Service issuing a rip current advisory through Friday.

Local beaches were battered by rough surf, causing some erosion of sand, and swimmers were kept out of the water by lifeguards in most locations. Recreational boaters were completely absent from the ocean, as strong current in Boca Raton Inlet and Boynton Inlet caused a standing column of breaking waves to form just off the mouth of each.

Large waves at Boca Inlet, April 21, 2026. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

The National Weather Service has continued its rip current advisory through Friday night, calling for “dangerous” surf conditions. The NWS’s Miami office forecast waves of 5-7 feet nearshore on Wednesday, though they would taper to 3-4 feet on Thursday. In the surf zone, the waves were forecast to reach 4-6 feet. Sustained winds of 20-25 m.p.h. would continue Wednesday, dropping to 15-20 m.p.h. on Thursday; wind gusts were predicted to reach 25-30 m.p.h. on Wednesday, likewise diminishing on Thursday.

“Swim near a lifeguard,” the NWS advisory said. “If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”

Large waves at Boca Inlet, April 21, 2026. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

Large waves in Boynton Beach, April 21, 2026. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

The forecast called for sunny skies Wednesday with a high of 77 degrees, though clouds and a chance of rain were predicted Thursday. Mostly sunny skies were forecast on Friday, albeit with a heightened chance of a thunderstorm at some point during the day.