If you’re looking for a great surfing spot, look no further than Florida! With miles of coastline and plenty of beaches that offer excellent waves, Florida is a prime destination for surfers of all levels. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the best places to surf in Florida, as well as some tips on how to improve your surfing skills. So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced surfer, read on to discover the best surfing spots in Florida!
What are the best places to surf in Florida?
There are many great places to surf in Florida, but some spots are definitely more popular than others. Here are some of the best places to surf in Florida:
1. New Smyrna Beach
This beach is located in Central Florida and is known for its waves. It seems like everybody in the state, or maybe just Orlando, crowds to this spot. It’s probably the most consistent surf break in all of Florida. The water can be packed when the waves are great.
The best conditions for it are east and south swells with a higher, incoming tide. But realistically it does work on most swells. The south swells especially on a low tide are the worst though. A bit of advice: If you aren’t a local, stay away from the main peak especially if you’re a beginner. If you’re experienced, you get how it works in the lineup.
As a beginner, stay down the beach a bit and you’ll still get some good waves. Also, be aware that far outside the sandbar is an area called “Shark Shallows”. If you’re out there and chatting with people, you’ll probably see why.
2. Cocoa Beach
This is a classic east coast Florida surf spot. It’s one of the first places that comes to mind when people think of surfing in Florida. It’s located just an hour from Orlando and is one of the most consistent places to surf on the east coast of Florida. The beach break here works best on north, northwest, and northeast swells.
Cocoa Beach is also a great place for beginners because there are plenty of surf schools in the area. So if you’re looking to learn how to surf, this is definitely the place to go.
This is also the hometown of the absolutely GOAT in surfing, Kelly Slater. Inside the town, you’ll want to check out both Ron Jon Surf Shop and the Cocoa Beach Surf Company. They are right next door to one another and both have great vibes and some good deals.
3. Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is another great surf spot in Central Florida. Like New Smyrna, it’s located on the Atlantic coast and offers consistent waves. The best conditions for surfing at Daytona are northeast and southeast swells with a high tide.
One of the great things about Daytona is that there are many different spots to surf, so you can always find a good wave no matter the conditions.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, there are many great hotels on the beach. And if you want to learn how to surf, there are also plenty of surf schools in the area.
4. Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach has white sand, clear water, and good surf. If you’re there in the winter, definitely check out the Pier or the Wall. If waves are coming in from the southeast you’ll be extremely lucky. Ever heard of Yancy Spencer III? Known by many as the “father of the Gulf Coast surfing” he opened Innerlight Surf Shop in 1969 and has expanded to five different locations around Florida since.
5. St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine Beach is located on the northeast coast of Florida and is one of the most popular surf spots in the state. It’s known for its great waves and consistent surf conditions. The best conditions for surfing at St. Augustine are north, northeast, and east swells with a high tide.
6. Jacksonville
Jacksonville is a surf hot spot. Hanna Park has some good breaks and relatively clean showers. Some other spots to look out for are Mayport Poles and Officer’s Club and Lighthouse. You can also look at the south side of the Jax Beach Pier. It’ll deliver some long lefts and short rights on a north/northeast swell.
Since 1976, Sunrise Surf Shop has been serving North Florida surfers and skaters alike. Make sure you hit them up for anything you need while you’re in town.
7. Venice Beach
Venice Beach is located on the southwest coast of Florida and is one of the best surf spots in the state. The waves here are known for being long and glassy. The best conditions for surfing at Venice Beach are west and southwest swells with a high tide.
It’s a small little town south of Sarasota, but when the swell is good, the lineup gets packed. If you’re there in Venice you should definitely check out the Surfer’s Warehouse shop. They just opened up a shop in 2022 but have been selling online since 1999. It’s a great father-daughter team and while I was living there they fixed my Robert August longboard.
What is the best month to surf Florida?
The best time to surf in Florida is from early August through spring. The water temperature is perfect and the waves are at their best. However, if you’re more experienced you can get some great Hurricane season waves from June to September.
Can You Surf On The West Coast of Florida?
Yes, you can surf on the west coast of Florida. The best surf spots are in Venice, St Pete Beach/Indian Rocks, and Pensacola. The West Coast is sometimes overlooked because its irregular and unpredictable, waves do come along and can be a lot of fun.
Do I Need A Wetsuit To Surf In Florida?
This is a tough question to answer. Depending on where your home break is, the water might be considered warm or cold to you. For the summer months and even up until the beginning of Winter, you won’t. But if you’ve lived in Florida for any length of time you know that your blood seems to thin out and you get cold with anything under 75 so you’ll want one if you’re more local.
To the surfer who’s reading this from the northeast or northwest, you probably won’t need a wetsuit for most of the year in Florida. To those of you reading this who live in the tropics, you’ll probably want to pick one up. Depending on the time of year, you might need a 3mm for most of the year. For the northern parts of Florida, you might consider a 5mm or even a 7mm wetsuit.
Can You Surf in 1 ft Waves?
If you’re asking this, you’re probably desperate for some waves. I get it, I paddle out anytime I can. Yes, you can surf in 1 ft waves if you have a longboard, SUP, and/or are a grom. It’s not going to be easy though. There won’t be a lot of power pushing you along. Remember “When in doubt, paddle out!”
Do rip currents pull you under?
It’s a myth that rip currents pull you underwater. Rip currents carry people away from the shore. Rip currents differ from undertows. An undertow is a short-lived, sub-surface surge of water. A rip current is a surface current that can move as fast as 5mph.
The important thing to remember is that they can move fast, but they won’t take you too far offshore. The important thing to do is relax, float and then wave for help if you struggle to get back.
Rip Current Survival Guide