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Hobe Sound Public Beach is one of South Florida's better spots for large surf. Sand settles between the outside reef and the shore, and the waves reform over each successive sandbar. Good days at Hobe Sound serve up long walls that are perfect for the kind of high-speed turns that melt rails and dissolve fins. Smaller days wedge playfully over one section of reef. A small crowd tends to congregate in front of the lifeguard tower, mostly because it serves as a good landmark, but there are peaks up and down the beach. The bigger the swell, the higher the tide needs to be. Yet, smaller swells will only get mushy as the water pushes in. Hobe Sound is susceptible to unfavorable winds and can often be sideshore or onshore; however, if the wind is light, the waves may section but won't close out.
Big days at Hobe Sound require fit surfers and longer surfboards. The set waves break more than a quarter-mile off the beach, and there is no easy way out, as strong currents drag you south. Longboards are not really a viable option because the lines of whitewater are relentless, requiring constant duck-diving. It sounds terrible, but a few waves each session make the adverse conditions worthwhile. One surfer is so addicted that he keeps coming back, despite suffering three separate shark attacks. Feeding frenzies are common here as the rows of troughs make it easy for predators to corral baitfish.
-- Terry Gibson
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incoming
NNE
6 feet plus
light WNW
6
reef and sand
something that paddles well and something that will get you in early
August through June
easy, but limited parking
light
mellow
9
1
7
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Stuart and Jupiter have more options, but you can always see what they offer on the web. Just be sure to visit Harry and the Natives' Bar and Restaurant (561-546-3061) located on the corner of US1 and Bridge Road.
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Accommodations in Hobe Sound are comparatively limited, and you're almost better off heading back to Stuart. Nonetheless, you can always see what they offer on the web.
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You can grab a bar of wax from a convenience store, but no true shops to speak of -- try one of the shops down in Jupiter.
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