Boating & Fishing

Heavy Surf, Flooding and Rip Current Advisories Extended Through Thursday

by
Daniel Nee
October 21, 2026

The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory for coastal Palm Beach County, including Boca Raton, with breaking waves of 5 to 9 feet expected in the surf zone. The NWS also issued advisories for coastal flooding and rip currents.

The high surf advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Friday. Forecasters said the surf will create dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and could cause localized beach erosion. The weather service also has a high rip current risk in effect through Friday evening. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water, forecasters said.

At Boca Inlet, dozens – if not a hundred or more – surfers flocked to the water before sunset to catch waves after the high tide cycle had completed. Park rangers dutifully looked on as a better surf break than usual came to South Florida. Anglers were not as lucky, with the south jetty completely overwashed by waves. The beach continued to hold up, though it began to erode near the outlet of the inlet’s dredge pipe. A few daring boaters powered full-throttle through the breakers, while a couple of jet-skiers posed for photos as they passed the jetty; in one case, a man fell off one of the jet-skis but was quickly plucked out of the water by a friend.

Waves crash at Boynton Inlet, Palm Beach County, FL, Oct. 20, 2026. (Credit: Boca Daily News)

At Boynton Inlet, no vessels were to be seen, with the north jetty being hit with violent surf. The popular fishing pier there was mostly closed off to anglers, though the south jetty was at least partially open.

Inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water because of the dangerous surf, the weather service said. Beachgoers should swim near a lifeguard, it continued. Anyone caught in a rip current should relax and float rather than swim against it, forecasters said. If able, swimmers should head in a direction that follows the shoreline. Those who can’t escape should face the shore and call or wave for help.

Waves crash at Boynton Inlet, Palm Beach County, FL, Oct. 20, 2026. (Credit: Boca Daily News)

In addition, a coastal flood statement took effect at 3 a.m. Wednesday and runs through Thursday evening. Isolated minor coastal flooding is expected around high tide, with some water possible on low-lying roads and property.