Small Craft Advisories in effect for south Florida Atlantic and Gulf coastal waters through Monday morning
NWS Miami FL issued Small Craft Advisories on October 16 at 4:18 PM EDT covering Biscayne Bay, Atlantic coastal and offshore waters from Jupiter Inlet to Ocean Reef FL, and Gulf-side coastal waters from East Cape Sable to Bonita Beach FL. Advisories run through October 19 at 2:00 AM EDT. Anglers planning departures this weekend from south Florida Atlantic and Gulf ports should pull the current zone forecast at weather.gov/mfl before leaving the dock.
NWS Miami FL issued Small Craft Advisories on October 16, 2026 at 4:18 PM EDT for south Florida Atlantic and Gulf waters through October 19 at 2:00 AM EDT. Atlantic zones include Biscayne Bay, coastal waters from Jupiter Inlet south to Ocean Reef FL out 20 nautical miles, and offshore waters from Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef FL from 20 to 60 nautical miles, excluding the territorial waters of the Bahamas. Gulf-side zones include coastal waters from East Cape Sable to Bonita Beach FL out 20 nautical miles, offshore waters from Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach FL from 20 to 60 nautical miles, and coastal waters from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee FL out 20 nautical miles. Lake Okeechobee is also under the advisory.
A Small Craft Advisory means NWS expects sustained winds of 21 to 33 knots or combined seas of 7 feet or more. Those conditions can make offshore runs in center-consoles, bay boats, and skiffs difficult, particularly on longer open-water passages. Anglers planning departures from Lake Worth Inlet, Port Everglades, Government Cut, Biscayne Bay launch points, and Gulf-side ports in the Naples and Everglades City corridor should check the current zone text at weather.gov/mfl before any departure decision. The advisory is a forecast product; NWS will cancel or downgrade it if conditions improve before October 19.
The NDBC Fort Pierce buoy (station 41068, approximately 60 miles north of the advisory's northern boundary at Jupiter Inlet) reported ESE winds at 8 knots gusting to 12 knots as of 4:08 PM EDT October 16. That observation is outside the active advisory zone. Conditions in the primary affected areas from Palm Beach south through Miami and Biscayne Bay may differ. Check weather.gov/mfl for the current product.
Mid-October is the leading edge of sailfish season on the Palm Beach and Broward county Atlantic coast. Early fish arrive ahead of the main November and December push as coastal water temperatures drop into the low 80s Fahrenheit. Blackfin tuna and kingfish are also active in south Florida nearshore waters through the fall. The advisory covers Saturday and Sunday; any plan for an offshore or nearshore departure this weekend should treat the current NWS zone forecast at weather.gov/mfl as the pre-launch check.
On the water: Rules and conditions can change quickly. Confirm current regulations and official marine forecasts for your exact trip.