The Florida Flow
A weather system is building and peaks Thursday with winds to 24 kt and gusts to 36 kt. Conditions are mixed now — Space Coast running choppy at 4.3 ft, South Florida still good. Plan your dives and trips before Wednesday.
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Tuesday, April 7, 2026 — Issue #22
A slow-moving weather system is building across the region and will dominate the week. Today already brought rain showers, a 56% precipitation chance, and 22.3mm of rainfall projected for Palm Beach. That front intensifies through Thursday, with winds climbing to 24 knots and gusts reaching 36 knots, before conditions ease heading into the weekend. The Special Marine Warning that was active this morning for waters from Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach out to 60 nautical miles expired at 6:45 AM EDT, with NWS confirming the triggering thunderstorm had weakened. That warning is gone, but the broader pattern is not — plan accordingly for the next 48 to 72 hours.
Buoy readings this morning show a mixed picture by zone. Off the Space Coast, buoy 41009 (20 nm offshore) is reporting 4.3 ft seas at a 9-second period with 11.7 kt winds out of the north. That long 9-second period matters: swell of that interval reaches the seafloor and stirs bottom sediment, pulling visibility down even when wave height looks manageable. Off the Treasure Coast, buoy 41114 (6.5 nm offshore) shows 3.9 ft seas at a 9-second period and water temps at 77.9°F. South Florida fares better: buoy 41122 (23 nm offshore) covering Deerfield through Miami reports 2.3 ft seas at a short 4-second period. At Blue Heron Bridge and Singer Island, buoy LKWF1 shows 12.1 kt NNE winds and 78.1°F water. Marathon reads 8.0 kt SW from buoy SMKF1 (1 nm offshore). Key West is calm, with 0.7 ft seas at buoy 42095 (15 nm offshore).
Blue Heron Bridge has two windows today. The optimal midday window runs from 11:56 AM to 12:56 PM, centered on a 2.1 ft high tide at 12:26 PM. Tonight's window runs from 11:54 PM to 12:54 AM around a 2.6 ft high tide at 12:24 AM, rated fair. Tomorrow's optimal window is 12:41 PM to 1:41 PM around a 2.0 ft high at 1:11 PM. With 12.1 kt NNE winds at the bridge today, current will be tidal and slight. Visibility at BHB is tidal-dependent and typically runs 5 to 20 ft regardless of offshore conditions.
Check live conditions at thefloridaflow.com — buoys, tides, dive windows, UV. Updated hourly.
Regional Conditions
| Region | Conditions | Vis | Seas | Wind | Water Temp | Buoy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Space Coast (Cocoa Beach / Sebastian) | CHOPPY | 5-15 ft 4.3 ft / 9s period reduces vis; onshore N wind reduces one additional tier OBSERVED |
4.3 ft / 9s OBSERVED | 11.7 kt N OBSERVED | N/A | 41009 (20 nm offshore) |
| Treasure Coast (Vero / Ft Pierce) | CHOPPY | 5-15 ft 3.9 ft / 9s period reduces vis one tier OBSERVED |
3.9 ft / 9s OBSERVED | N/A | 77.9°F OBSERVED | 41114 (6.5 nm offshore) |
| Blue Heron Bridge / Singer Island | GOOD | Tidal 5-20 ft OBSERVED | Tidal/inshore | 12.1 kt NNE OBSERVED | 78.1°F OBSERVED | LKWF1 (inshore) |
| Deerfield / Pompano / Fort Lauderdale | GOOD | 20-50 ft 2.3 ft / 4s short period: surface chop, bottom less affected OBSERVED |
2.3 ft / 4s OBSERVED | N/A | 78.3°F OBSERVED | 41122 (23 nm offshore) |
| Miami / Key Biscayne | GOOD | 20-50 ft 2.3 ft / 4s short period: surface chop, bottom less affected OBSERVED |
2.3 ft / 4s OBSERVED | N/A | 78.3°F OBSERVED | 41122 (23 nm offshore) |
| Key Largo / Upper Keys | NO DATA | No coverage | No coverage | No coverage | No coverage | MLRF1 decommissioned Feb 2023. No replacement. |
| Marathon / Middle Keys | CALM | 40-80 ft PREDICTED | N/A | 8.0 kt SW OBSERVED | N/A | SMKF1 (1 nm offshore) |
| Key West / Lower Keys | CALM | 40-80 ft PREDICTED | 0.7 ft OBSERVED | N/A | 78.6°F OBSERVED | 42095 (15 nm offshore) |
Sources: Space Coast via buoy 41009 (20 nm offshore). Treasure Coast via buoy 41114 (6.5 nm offshore). Blue Heron Bridge and Singer Island via buoy LKWF1 (inshore). Deerfield, Pompano, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Key Biscayne via buoy 41122 (23 nm offshore). Key Largo and Upper Keys: MLRF1 decommissioned February 2023, no replacement buoy. Marathon via buoy SMKF1 (1 nm offshore). Key West via buoy 42095 (15 nm offshore). NWS marine zone AMZ610 (Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach). BHB windows from iDiveFlorida. UV index from Open-Meteo. Offshore buoy readings are not the same as nearshore. Confirm with your captain.
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Activity Outlook
| Activity | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🤿 Scuba | MARGINAL NORTH, GOOD SOUTH | Space Coast and Treasure Coast seeing 3.9 to 4.3 ft seas with 9-second periods. Long period swell reaches the bottom and reduces visibility even when heights look moderate. South Florida and Keys fare better. BHB midday window is the top local option today. Verify with your operator. |
| 🏄 Surfing | GOOD NORTH | Space Coast at 4.3 ft with a clean 9-second period offers the best shape. Rain is in the forecast, with 56% precip chance today. Conditions building midweek. Verify with your operator. |
| 🚣 Kayak / SUP | MARGINAL | 12.1 kt NNE winds at BHB and Singer Island make open-water paddling uncomfortable. Protected inshore areas are more manageable. Winds build through Thursday to 24 kt. Stick to sheltered waterways. Verify with your operator. |
| ⛵ Boating / Fishing | MARGINAL NORTH, GOOD SOUTH | Space Coast to Palm Beach running 11 to 13 kt with 3.9 to 4.3 ft offshore seas. A Special Marine Warning was in effect this morning for Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach, now expired. Front builds Wednesday through Thursday. South Florida and Keys are more favorable today. Port Everglades current running 1.11 kt N. Verify with your operator. |
| 🏖️ Beach | MARGINAL | Rain showers with 56% chance today and 22.3mm projected. UV is moderate at 5. NNE winds at 12 kt make the beach breezy. Better beach conditions expected by Saturday and Sunday. Verify with your operator. |
Blue Heron Bridge Dive Windows
Today, Tuesday April 7:
Midday high tide: 2.1 ft at 12:26 PM. Optimal window: 11:56 AM to 12:56 PM. Best window of the day. Tidal current will be minimal near slack. Visibility typically 5 to 20 ft, tidal-dependent.
Tonight high tide: 2.6 ft at 12:24 AM. Fair window: 11:54 PM to 12:54 AM. Night dive. Higher tide height but rated fair. Bring a light.
Tomorrow, Wednesday April 8:
Midday high tide: 2.0 ft at 1:11 PM. Optimal window: 12:41 PM to 1:41 PM. Note: Wednesday brings increased winds up to 21 kt with gusts to 31 kt. Surface conditions at the bridge may be choppier than today. Confirm before entry.
Marine Life Sightings
Narcosis Dive, West Palm Beach (April 6, 2026): Visibility 50 ft, water 76°F, 1 to 2 ft waves, trickle N current. Confirmed sightings: baby hammerhead shark, moray eels, Goliath grouper, tropical fish, sponges, and corals. A strong session for a Monday, with the Goliath being a highlight.
Rainbow Reef, Key Largo (April 7, 2026): The operator report received for Rainbow Reef today contains formatting errors and the data cannot be reliably parsed. No confirmed sightings or conditions are available from Rainbow Reef for this issue.
7-Day Outlook
Tue Apr 7 🟡: Rain showers. Wind max 13 kt, gusts 17 kt. Precip 56%, 22.3mm rain projected. Building system underway. Marginal for most ocean activities north of Palm Beach.
Wed Apr 8 🟡: Rain showers. Wind increasing to max 21 kt, gusts 31 kt. Precip 45%, 14.7mm rain. Conditions worsening. Small craft should exercise caution.
Thu Apr 9 🔴: Drizzle. Wind max 24 kt, gusts 36 kt. Precip 64%, 11.1mm rain. Peak of the system. Rough boating conditions likely. Offshore activities not advised without current operator confirmation.
Fri Apr 10 🟡: Drizzle easing. Wind max 16 kt, gusts 21 kt. Precip 22%, 2mm rain. Conditions improving but seas may still be elevated after Thursday's wind.
Sat Apr 11 🟢: Drizzle. Wind max 14 kt, gusts 18 kt. Precip only 6%, 0.1mm rain. System clearing. Conditions settling into a usable range.
Sun Apr 12 🟢: Partly cloudy. Wind max 16 kt, gusts 20 kt. Precip 3%, no rain. Best day of the outlook window. Plan your dive or trip for Sunday if the week schedule allows.
Wind and rain data from Open-Meteo for Palm Beach. Offshore heights from buoys 20 to 60 nm. Nearshore conditions are typically smaller than offshore readings. Check with your operator before heading out.
Safety Tip
Building Fronts Demand Early Decisions
A Special Marine Warning was issued and expired this morning for the Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach zone due to a morning thunderstorm. That storm has passed, but the broader system driving it is still building. Winds are forecast to reach 24 kt with gusts to 36 kt by Thursday. If you are planning an offshore trip Wednesday or Thursday, make the go or no-go call before you leave the dock, not from the water. Deteriorating conditions mid-trip with gusts above 30 kt leave little margin for error. Check the latest NWS marine forecast at tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov before departure.
Sun and UV
| Sunrise | Morning Golden Hour | Evening Golden Hour | Sunset | UV Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:10 AM | 7:10 AM to 7:55 AM | 6:50 PM to 7:35 PM | 7:35 PM | 5 Moderate today / 8 High tomorrow |
UV from Open-Meteo. Tomorrow's UV of 8 is high. Apply SPF 30 or greater, especially if skies clear in the afternoon. Rain today may limit peak UV exposure, but UV penetrates light cloud cover.
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The Florida Flow aggregates NOAA buoy data, NWS marine forecasts, and operator reports. Offshore heights are from buoys located 1 to 23 nautical miles offshore and do not represent nearshore or reef conditions. Nearshore seas vary. All conditions change rapidly. Confirm with your captain or dive operator before any water activity. Use at your own risk.