Nassau Beaches: rip current risk and surf forecast

FloridaNear Fernandina Beach, Nassau CountyNWS zone FLZ124NWS Jacksonville

Rip current risk today: Moderate. Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.

Surf around 2 feet, water low to mid 80s. Buoy 41112, 9.5 mi out, measured 84 °F water and 1.3 ft waves. Sunset 7:25 PM.

Rip current risk: ModerateToday
Surf: Around 2 feetForecast
Water: Low to mid 80sForecast
Sunset: 7:25 PMEDT

Radar

Reflectivity now over Nassau Beaches. Open it to see rip current risk on the map.

Open the live radar with rip current risk

Radar mosaic and map layers from NOAA MRMS. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Alerts in force

No beach hazards statement, high surf advisory or other warning is in force for Nassau Beaches. Those are the products a coastal office issues when the water turns dangerous. When one is issued it appears here and on the alerts page for this area.

Today and tomorrow

From the National Weather Service beach forecast, issued 250 AM EDT, 9/20/2026.

Today Today

Moderate rip current risk

Rip current risk: Moderate
Surf: Around 2 feet
Water temperature: Low to mid 80s
UV index: High
High temperature: In the upper 80s
Weather: Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms
Wind: North winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming east-northeast around 10 mph late in the morning
Thunderstorms: Low

UV index 6 to 7. Sunburn protection is needed; reduce time in the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tomorrow Monday

Moderate rip current risk

Rip current risk: Moderate
Surf: 1 to 2 feet
High temperature: In the upper 80s
Weather: Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms
Wind: North winds around 5 mph, becoming east-northeast around 10 mph in the afternoon
Thunderstorms: Moderate

The surf zone forecast, period by period

Nassau, Duval, Flagler, St. Johns. Issued 2:50 AM EDT on Sun, Sep 20 by the National Weather Service in Jacksonville.

A moderate risk of rip currents is in effect

Today

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: Around 2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: Low
UV Index: High
Water Temperature: Low to mid 80s
Weather: Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms
High Temperature: In the upper 80s
Winds: North winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming east-northeast around 10 mph late in the morning
Tides, Vilano Beach: Low 09:55 AM EDT. High 04:30 PM EDT
Tides, St Augustine Beach: Low 09:45 AM EDT. High 04:17 PM EDT
Tides, Fernandina Beach: Low 10:03 AM EDT. High 04:43 PM EDT
Tides, Mayport Naval Station: Low 09:38 AM EDT. High 04:31 PM EDT
Tides, Jacksonville Beach: Low 09:50 AM EDT. High 04:16 PM EDT

Monday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 1 to 2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: Moderate
Weather: Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms
High Temperature: In the upper 80s
Winds: North winds around 5 mph, becoming east-northeast around 10 mph in the afternoon
Tides, Vilano Beach: Low 10:48 AM EDT. High 05:26 PM EDT
Tides, St Augustine Beach: Low 10:37 AM EDT. High 05:11 PM EDT
Tides, Fernandina Beach: Low 10:57 AM EDT. High 05:38 PM EDT
Tides, Mayport Naval Station: Low 10:33 AM EDT. High 05:26 PM EDT
Tides, Jacksonville Beach: Low 10:49 AM EDT. High 05:13 PM EDT

The days after

Tuesday. Surf height 2 to 3 feet. Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.

Wednesday. Surf height 2 to 3 feet. Partly sunny. Showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Northeast winds around 10 mph.

Thursday. Surf height 4 to 5 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Northeast winds around 20 mph.

The office's notes on this forecast

Rip Current Risk Category * Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however, life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. * Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone. * High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see: https://www.weather.gov/beach/jax

The product as issued

FZUS52 KJAX 200650
SRFJAX

Surf Zone Forecast for Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
250 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

FLZ124-125-138-233-333-210400-
Nassau-Duval-Flagler-St. Johns-
Including the beaches of Yulee, Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville Beach, 
Palm Coast, Palm Valley, Ponte Vedra Beach, Sawgrass, Vilano Beach, 
Anastasia, Crescent Beach, St. Augustine, and St. Augustine South
250 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

...A MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS IS IN EFFECT...

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................Around 2 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Low. 
UV Index**..................High. 
Water Temperature...........Low to mid 80s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers with
                            a slight chance of thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................North winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming 
                            east-northeast around 10 mph late in 
                            the morning.
Tides...
   Vilano Beach.............Low  09:55 AM EDT.
                            High 04:30 PM EDT.
   St Augustine Beach.......Low  09:45 AM EDT.
                            High 04:17 PM EDT.
   Fernandina Beach.........Low  10:03 AM EDT.
                            High 04:43 PM EDT.
   Mayport Naval Station....Low  09:38 AM EDT.
                            High 04:31 PM EDT.
   Jacksonville Beach.......Low  09:50 AM EDT.
                            High 04:16 PM EDT.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................1 to 2 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Moderate. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................North winds around 5 mph, becoming 
                            east-northeast around 10 mph in the 
                            afternoon.
Tides...
   Vilano Beach.............Low  10:48 AM EDT.
                            High 05:26 PM EDT.
   St Augustine Beach.......Low  10:37 AM EDT.
                            High 05:11 PM EDT.
   Fernandina Beach.........Low  10:57 AM EDT.
                            High 05:38 PM EDT.
   Mayport Naval Station....Low  10:33 AM EDT.
                            High 05:26 PM EDT.
   Jacksonville Beach.......Low  10:49 AM EDT.
                            High 05:13 PM EDT.

.EXTENDED...
.TUESDAY...Surf height 2 to 3 feet. Partly sunny. A chance of showers
and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Northeast winds around
5 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Surf height 2 to 3 feet. Partly sunny. Showers likely
and a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Northeast winds
around 10 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Surf height 4 to 5 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely
and a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Northeast winds
around 20 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/jax

$$

GAZ154-166-210400-
Glynn-Camden-
Including the beaches of Brunswick, St. Simons, Country Club Estates, 
Dock Junction, St. Marys, and Kingsland
250 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

...A MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS IS IN EFFECT...

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................1 to 2 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Low. 
UV Index**..................High. 
Water Temperature...........Low to mid 80s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers with 
                            a slight chance of thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................Northwest winds around 5 mph, becoming 
                            east-northeast around 10 mph late in the 
                            morning.
Tides...
   St Simons Island.........Low  09:45 AM EDT.
                            High 04:14 PM EDT.
   Brunswick GA.............Low  10:17 AM EDT.
                            High 04:33 PM EDT.
   Dungeness Seacamp........Low  10:09 AM EDT.
                            High 04:53 PM EDT.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................1 to 2 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Moderate. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................North winds around 5 mph, becoming east 
                            5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tides...
   St Simons Island.........Low  10:43 AM EDT.
                            High 05:10 PM EDT.
   Brunswick GA.............Low  11:13 AM EDT.
                            High 05:34 PM EDT.
   Dungeness Seacamp........Low  11:08 AM EDT.
                            High 05:53 PM EDT.

.EXTENDED...
.TUESDAY...Surf height 1 to 2 feet. Partly sunny. A chance of showers
and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Northeast winds around
5 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Surf height 1 to 2 feet. Partly sunny. Showers likely
and a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Northeast winds
around 10 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Surf height 2 to 3 feet. Partly sunny. A chance of
showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Northeast winds
around 15 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/jax


$$

The water now, measured

Buoy 41112, Offshore Fernandina Beach, FL (132), 9.5 mi away, reported 6:56 AM.

Waves: 1.3 ft at 8 seconds from the E
Water temperature: 84 °F

From NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Wave height is the significant height, the average of the highest third; the largest waves run half again as high. Offshore buoys read bigger than the surf at the beach.

Tides today

Amelia City, South Amelia River, 4.0 mi away. Feet above mean lower low water.

High tide4:22 AM4.9 ft
Low tide10:45 AM1.5 ft
High tide5:04 PM5.5 ft
Low tide11:45 PM1.6 ft

Low tide often exposes the sandbars and channels that shape rip currents, and the risk can run higher for an hour or two either side of it. Full tide table for Amelia City, South Amelia River.

Sun and daylight

Sunrise today: 7:13 AM
Sunset today: 7:25 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 7:13 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 7:23 PM

Times are Eastern Daylight Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the rip current risk does not fall with the light.

Beaches in this forecast

The office forecasts these beaches together with the neighboring zones.

Yulee
Fernandina Beach
Jacksonville Beach
Palm Coast
Palm Valley
Ponte Vedra Beach
Sawgrass
Vilano Beach
Anastasia
Crescent Beach
St. Augustine
St. Augustine South

As the National Weather Service lists them in its surf zone forecast.

What this means

The three levels the National Weather Service issues, and what to do at each.

High	Life-threatening rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water.
Moderate	Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.
Low	Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard.

If a rip current carries you out

Do not fight the current. It pulls you away from the beach, not under the water.
Stay calm and keep your head above water. Float or tread water until the pull eases.
Swim parallel to the beach, along the shore, until you are out of the current, then angle in toward the beach.
If you cannot escape, face the shore, wave your arms and call for help.
If someone else is caught, do not go in after them. Get a lifeguard, call 911, and throw them something that floats.

Thunderstorms and lightning

The forecast has a low chance of thunderstorms today. Water and open sand leave you the tallest thing around. When thunder roars, go indoors: leave the water and the beach for a building or a hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back.

A rip current is a narrow stream of water flowing away from the beach, through the surf and past the breakers. It pulls swimmers out, not under. Rip current and lightning safety guidance from the National Weather Service.

Nearby

The stretches of shore the National Weather Service forecasts on either side of this one.

More for this place

Sources

Rip current risk, surf, water temperature and UV from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast and beach forecast, office JAX, issued 250 AM EDT, 9/20/2026. Original at NWS. Waves and water temperature measured by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Tides from NOAA CO-OPS. Alerts from the National Weather Service for zone FLZ124.