10 Best Florida Beaches for Surfing – Hang Ten and Catch the Greatest Waves in the Sunshine State!
Balancing on a well-polished board, soaring on the back of a cobalt-blue wave is, perhaps, the ultimate feeling of freedom. However, not all waves are created equal. From calm to turbulent, there’s an entire spectrum of ocean emotions – and trust us, you don’t want to ride them all!
Luckily, there a few spots we know of that offer consistently great waves, day after day. That’s what makes them the best Florida beaches for surfing!
So grab your surfboard, blare some Beach Boys from the boom box, and let’s ride!
What Makes a Place Ideal for Surfing?
“Have wave, will ride” sounds like a great motto, but even in the groovy, free-flowing world of surf… things are a bit more complicated than that.
Obviously, a perfectly calm ocean, while beautiful, is useless for surfing. Likewise, overly choppy waters are dangerous for surfers because they are volatile in both strength and direction. The waves surfers look for are “breaking waves” – that is, swells that crash (“break”).
While wind is certainly a factor in wave making, it’s what lies beneath the surface that really determines how waves behave. Reefs, sandbars, and underwater boulders are examples of surf breaks, and such underwater formations create ideal conditions for surfing.1
Thanks to the relative permanency of underwater topography and its influence on waves, we can point to particular surfing spots in Florida that are almost always going to have great surfing conditions.
Wherever you go, just remember that safety comes first. If you have any doubts about the weather or waves, just hang tight so you can hang ten another day!
The Best Florida Beaches for Surfing
While “Surfin’ USA” may be a Californian bop, it shouldn’t overshadow the surfin’ scene in the Sunshine State!
There is great surfing in Florida. I mean, have you seen all of our Ron Jon billboards?? All jokes asides, we have several surfing beaches in Florida that are great for beginners and experts alike, with the best spots being along the east (Atlantic) coast.
The east coast offers consistently great waves, especially further south, while surfing on the west (Gulf) coast is pretty hit or miss.
The best months for surfing in Florida are generally November through March. While surfing season technically stretches from August to the end of spring, that winter period often yields the best waves. That being said, as long as the weather permits, there’s no “bad” day to go surfing in Florida!
So, where should you go? We’d recommend one of our 10 best beaches for surfing in Florida!
1. Cocoa Beach
Starting off strong with the surfing capital of Florida, Cocoa Beach is one of the best beaches for surfing in Florida – and in the United States!
Home of the legendary Ron Jon’s Surf Shop (the world’s largest surf shop), Cocoa Beach is known for its excellent waves – perfect for testing out that newly purchased gear! With a large and popular beach, this spot can get busy, but it’s one of the best places to surf in Florida for beginners – so it’s worth navigating the crowds if you’re still learning to navigate the waves.
While beginners and longboarders will love it here, some more experienced surfers might find it a bit tame. Nevertheless, it’s a gorgeous place with a fun pier, and the surrounding area is also a great place to stay and vacation! The overall atmosphere is part of what makes Cocoa Beach surfing so great.
2. St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine isn’t just America’s oldest city, it’s also part of Florida’s surfing scene!
This beautiful beach is backed by consistently varied waves. With swells both big and small, it’s a great place to surf in Florida for any level of surfer. It’s also a popular location for other watersports like paddle boarding and wakeboarding!
You’ll find areas here named the “Blowhole” and the “Middles.” Both generate big waves, but head to Blowhole (or just north of it) for the biggest!
3. New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach is simply gorgeous. Sporting a more Gulf-typical appearance, this Atlantic beauty boasts white sands and turquoise blue waters.
But we don’t care about any of that.
We’re here for the waves! And the waves are wonderfully consistent – in fact, they are some of the most consistent in the entire state! If you want a guarantee you’ll get some surfing done, this place is your best bet. Because of its consistency, some folks have said it’s also an ideal location to try out trick riding.
Not only is New Smyrna Beach one of the best beaches for surfing in Florida, but in the past, it’s also been ranked as one of the best surf towns in the world.2
4. Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville Beach is another amazing location that sees consistent swell. During the spring and summer months, it’s one of the best places to surf in Florida for beginners, but during fall and winter, waves tend to get bigger and are best tackled by surfing veterans.3
Jacksonville’s surf scene is a pretty popular one, and it can get crowded around the Jacksonville Beach Pier, where fun waves break on either side. However, with 22 miles of golden coastline, there’s a multitude of access points that will allow you to escape the crowds if need be.
5. Daytona Beach
Not only can you drive on the beach at Daytona, but you can also get in some great surfing! Thanks to a sandbar, you’ll get plenty of wave breaks here, although the waves themselves usually don’t climb much higher than 5 feet. It’s a great place to surf in Florida for beginners or for anyone who wants a more relaxed time on the water.
Because of Daytona’s “most popular beach in the world” status, there’s an abundance of rental shops and available surf lessons. The Main Street Pier is generally the favorite surf spot of most visitors, but you can also head a little south of Daytona and catch some waves at Ponce Inlet. Ponce Inlet makes for a less crowded experience with a similar waterscape!
6. Flagler Beach
Located between St. Augustine and Daytona, Flagler Beach is a slice of unspoiled paradise, and also one of the best surfing beaches in Florida!
While you have to wait for the right weather for good surfing here, it’s worth that wait. You won’t have to fight crowds at Flagler, and the views along this six-mile stretch of sand are stunning.
The best time to surf here is during cold fronts and the winter. Most visitors recommend September through May as the best window for surfing, with no real luck during summer. That being said, when the waves are in season, they are excellent!
7. Sebastian Inlet
One of the most exciting surfing spots in Florida is Sebastian Inlet. Waves can reach up to 10 feet in height along this three-mile stretch of coastline!
Thanks to a manmade sandbar, you can experience these enormous wave breaks, with some of the biggest happening at “Monster Hole,” at the south end of the inlet. The north side also has great – and slightly gentler – waves.
If you enjoy aerial surfing, then this is the spot for you!
8. Jupiter Beach
If you’re looking for a place with lots of happy, little waves (yes, I’m channeling Bob Ross), then look no further than Jupiter Beach! This is an ideal location for watersports, and in the past, Jupiter has been dubbed one of the happiest seaside towns in the United States.4 (Hence the happy, little waves.)
With sandbars between Jupiter Inlet and Juno Beach Pier, you’ll find lots of nice, long waves that are perfect for riding! The wave breaks are fairly big and the beach itself is pretty laidback, creating the perfect combo of exhilaration and relaxation.
9. Palm Beach (Reef Road)
The biggest waves in Florida – we’re talking up to 15 feet! – coming crashing in at Palm Beach’s Reef Road.
If you’re an avid surfer, then Palm Beach is definitely the place for you! With some of the most powerful waves in the region, you won’t find a more exciting surf zone than this! Winter and hurricane season usually produce the biggest waves (but please don’t go surfing if there’s a hurricane coming!!).
The beach itself is beautiful and boasts wonderfully clear waters, and there’s also a lot to do in town, making it a fun place to spend an entire vacation!
10. Boynton Beach
Boynton Beach is another awesome option for surfers who like to keep it chill. There aren’t too many crowds to wade through here, just great waves with long breaks.
With an exposed beach and reef break, Boyton Beach has top-notch surfing conditions all year round. The naturally beautiful Oceanfront Park is where you’ll want to go, with the best surfing spots located at the north and south ends of the beach.
Best Surf Spots in Florida Gulf Coast…?
While the best surfing is pretty much on the Atlantic side of things, you still have some options if you’re hanging out along the Gulf! Pensacola Beach is your best Gulf coast surf spot, with glittering, white sands and warm blue waves. Located on the Florida panhandle, you’ll find clean, consistent swells during the winter months. The best breaks are along the Wall and the Pier!
Surfers can also generally find pretty good breaks anywhere between St. Pete and Venice Beach during the wintertime!
Those are our top picks for surfing in Florida, but where have you found the best waves? Tell us about your favorite surfing beach in the comments below!
Catch you later!
Cover photo: Unsplash
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