Central Florida Surfing

Central Florida is often known as the area that could have been a
surfer’s dream. The restricted waters surrounding Kennedy Space Center
offer ideal conditions for astronauts and their families, while everyone else
must look elsewhere. Still, there are some nice spots and some unique waveforms
for those willing to be patient. Central Florida houses the famous Sebastian Inlet, by far the best-known break in the state. It’s also the home of the infamous Ron Jon’s surf shop.

South Patrick sports a number of surf areas amidst the Patrick Air Force Base, with some appropriately named break areas such as First and Second Light, Missiles, and Hangars. The breaks at Satellite Beach somewhat follow a business-naming scheme; Perkins is known for surf consistency, while swells flourish at R.C.’s in front of a Ramada Inn. The residential area of Melbourne Beach can cater to the local scene and amateur surfing competitions. Sebastian Inlet is by far Florida’s most famous break. It is comprised of the First, Second, and Third Peaks, where many a pro has surfed.

Be prepared for changes in season when you surf in Florida. Winter water temps are in the high 50's to low 60's, but summer temps are in the 80's.

Find a surf school in Central Florida.

Central Florida Surf Breaks

Lori Wilson Park
Surf Location	Take Exit 80 and follow SR 406 east. You'll pass the standard series of local businesses and food spots - as well as Playa Linda Surf Shop - before getting to US 1, and you're still only halfway to the beach at best. After crossing US 1, a drawbridge takes you across the waterway. The signs will steer you onto 402 and toward Playa Linda, but be patient - the two-lane road leads you through the wildlife refuge for about six miles.
Best Swell Direction	Northeast, North
Best Tide	Low incoming tide
Best Wind Direction	Southwest, West
Best Surf Season	Winter, Spring
Wave Quality	A little punchier than Cocoa beach. Long walls at low tide.
The Surfers	There’s so much space, it’s easy to find a spot of your own. No crowds to worry about, except the occasional nudist.
Boards	Shortboard, longboard, hybrid
Paddle Out	Easy to moderate
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Sand
Watch Out For…	Sharks, nudists
Water Condition	Clean

Playa Linda
Surf Location	Take Exit 80 and follow SR 406 east. You'll pass the standard series of local businesses and food spots - as well as Playa Linda Surf Shop - before getting to US 1, and you're still only halfway to the beach at best. After crossing US 1, a drawbridge takes you across the waterway. The signs will steer you onto 402 and toward Playa Linda, but be patient - the two-lane road leads you through the wildlife refuge for about six miles.
Best Swell Direction	Northeast, North
Best Tide	Low incoming tide
Best Wind Direction	Southwest, West
Best Surf Season	Winter, Spring
Wave Quality	A little punchier than Cocoa beach. Long walls at low tide.
The Surfers	There’s so much space, it’s easy to find a spot of your own. No crowds to worry about, except the occasional nudist.
Boards	Shortboard, longboard, hybrid
Paddle Out	Easy to moderate
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Sand
Watch Out For…	Sharks, nudists
Water Condition	Clean

The Streets - Cocoa Beach, FL
Surf Location	The numbered streets begin on A1A just south of Coconuts, where Cocoa Beach's residential area takes hold, running from 1st Street through 4th Street north and 1st Street through 30th Street south.
Best Swell Direction	East, Southeast
Best Tide	Mid to High
Best Wind Direction	Offshore
Best Surf Season	Fall
Wave Quality	Pretty solid, mushy. About as consistent as the rest of Cocoa Beach.
The Surfers	Thin crowds, nonexistent vibe
Boards	Anything
Paddle Out	Easy to moderate
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Sand
Watch Out For…	Sharks
Water Condition	Fairly clean

Cocoa Beach Pier
Surf Location	Drive a couple of miles north of Ron Jon’s on A1A. Then go down the little road after the Beach Wave and it will take you straight to the parking lot for the Pier after an intersection.
Best Swell Direction	East
Best Tide	Mid tide
Best Wind Direction	West
Best Surf Season	Winter, Hurricane
Wave Quality	Pretty good, as good as any in the area
The Surfers	Can get crowded on weekends, mostly with tourists. Friendly vibe. Home beach of Kelly Slater.
Boards	Shortboard, longboard
Paddle Out	Easy
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Sand
Watch Out For…	Buoys, sharks, tourists
Water Condition	Clean

Hangar’s
Surf Location	A short drive south of First and Second Light on A1A is Patrick Air Force Break's next parking lot and corresponding break, Hangar’s.
Best Swell Direction	Southeast
Best Tide	Low to Mid
Best Wind Direction	West
Best Surf Season	Late Summer
Wave Quality	Pretty solid. When it’s good, the pilings become more dangerous.
The Surfers	Thin crowds, nonexistent vibe
Boards	Anything
Paddle Out	Can be tough
Skill Level	Intermediate to Advanced
Bottom	Sand, rocks, pilings
Watch Out For…	Pilings, sharks
Water Condition	Clean

Perkins
Surf Location	Driving south from PAFB, Perkins is the first oceanside restaurant you'll see. Right next door is a public beach ramp with very limited parking.
Best Swell Direction	East-Southeast
Best Tide	Mid tide
Best Wind Direction	Offshore
Best Surf Season	Fall
Wave Quality	Pretty good. A less-populated RC’s.
The Surfers	Can get crowded, but vibe is reasonable and respect-oriented
Boards	Shortboard, longboard
Paddle Out	Easy to moderate
Skill Level	Intermediate to Advanced
Bottom	Rock, sand
Watch Out For…	Sharks
Water Condition	Clean

Indialantic Boardwalk
Surf Location	Indialantic's Boardwalk resides halfway to Sebastian Inlet from Cocoa Beach, at the end of the SR 192, one of the east-to-west arteries that connects Central Florida. The boardwalk is easy to find, thanks to a stoplight and Shagg's Surf Shop, which is perched on A1A at the north end of the beach park.
Best Swell Direction	Southeast
Best Tide	Low
Best Wind Direction	West
Best Surf Season	Later summer and fall for hurricane season; winter
Wave Quality	Excellent shore break
The Surfers	Can get crowded and fairly competitive, but there’s plenty of beach, so don’t be afraid to go grab your own peaks
Boards	Shortboard, longboard
Paddle Out	Easy to moderate
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Sand, shells
Watch Out For…	Sharks, parking meters
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Bonsteel Park – Melbourne Beach, FL
Surf Location	Just a few miles south of Sebastian Inlet
Best Swell Direction	Northeast
Best Tide	Low
Best Wind Direction	West
Best Surf Season	Hurricane
Wave Quality	Good, fairly hollow wave.
The Surfers	Thin crowds, nonexistent vibe. Many fishermen.
Boards	Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard
Paddle Out	Fairly easy
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Sand
Watch Out For…	sharks
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Spanish House – Melbourne Beach, FL
Surf Location	Take A1A 18 miles south past Indialantic and before the foot of the Inlet's bridge, you'll see the state park sign on the right. Turn in and pay the ranger $5, and try to find a parking spot in the right-hand lot. 1st Peak is right next the Pier on the north side of the Park.
Best Swell Direction	East, Southeast
Best Tide	Low
Best Wind Direction	West
Best Surf Season	Fall, Winter, Spring
Wave Quality	Lots of tubes; steep and speedy faces. A great alternative when Sebastian Inlet is too crowded.
The Surfers	Can get crowded, but there is a lot of room to spread out and find your own peak. Lots of local talent.
Boards	Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard
Paddle Out	Can be tough
Skill Level	Intermediate to Advanced
Bottom	Sand
Watch Out For…	Sharks
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Sebastian Inlet State Park - 1st Peak
Surf Location	Take A1A 18 miles south past Indialantic and before the foot of the Inlet's bridge, you'll see the state park sign on the right. Turn in and pay the ranger $5, and try to find a parking spot in the right-hand lot. 1st Peak is right next the Pier on the north side of the Park.
Best Swell Direction	East, Southeast
Best Tide	Low ,
Best Wind Direction	West
Best Surf Season	Fall, Winter, Spring
Wave Quality	A classic; the most famous wave in Florida. The wave is steep, speedy and hollow, making it the training ground for all top pros in FL.
The Surfers	Can get very, very crowded and 1st Peak is always competitive. Lots of pros in the area, and the pecking order is strictly enforced. Lots of local talent.
Boards	Shortboard, fish, funboard
Paddle Out	Can be tough
Skill Level	Intermediate to Advanced
Bottom	Sand
Watch Out For…	Sharks, fishermen
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Sebastian Inlet State Park – Monster Hole
Surf Location	Monster Hole is located on the south side of Sebastian Inlet State Park. Take A1A 18 miles south past Indialantic and across Inlet's bridge. You'll see the state park sign on the right. Turn in and pay the ranger.
Best Swell Direction	Northeast
Best Tide	Low tide
Best Wind Direction	West
Best Surf Season	Winter and Spring
Wave Quality	Arguably the best wave in Florida. Steep and speedy walls will peel for over 75 yards on big north swells.
The Surfers	Generally not as crowded as 1st Peak. Lots of pros in the area, and the pecking order is strictly enforced. Lots of local talent.
Boards	Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard
Paddle Out	This wave breaks ¼ of a mile out into the ocean. Paddle along the south jetty to get to the peak without getting your hair wet.
Skill Level	Advanced to Expert
Bottom	Sand and some rocks
Watch Out For…	Sharks, boats
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Monster Hole, Sebastian Inlet, Florida - Surf Video

 

Vero Beach Pier
Surf Location	Drive south on A1A until you see Jaycee Park and its large, well-equipped beach facilities. Park along the boardwalk and walk north about 50 yards, and you'll see what's left of Vero Pier.
Best Swell Direction	Southeast
Best Tide	High
Best Wind Direction	Offshore
Best Surf Season	Winter
Wave Quality	Considered a has-been location since the pier was destroyed by Hurricane Irene in 1999. Still some good breaks though, on occasion.
The Surfers	Thin crowds, nonexistent vibe
Boards	Shortboard
Paddle Out	Can be tough
Skill Level	Intermediate to Advanced
Bottom	Sand, rocks, pilings
Watch Out For…	Pilings, sharks
Water Condition	Clean

Riomar Beach
Surf Location	Stay on Ocean Drive south past Humiston Plaza, and you'll see Riomar Country Club. Just north of the building is a small beach access labeled Riomar Avenue, but don't park there or you'll be towed.
Best Swell Direction	North
Best Tide	Low
Best Wind Direction	Offshore
Best Surf Season	Winter
Wave Quality	Reef creates some great shortboard opportunities on good days
The Surfers	Thin crowds, nonexistent vibe.
Boards	Shortboard
Paddle Out	Can be tough
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Rock
Watch Out For…	Sharks, parking problems
Water Condition	Clean

Jetty Park
Surf Location	Coming from I-95 or US 1 in either direction, simply take 528 east, which becomes A1A south, and take the South Cargo exit east.
Best Swell Direction	South
Best Tide	Mid
Best Wind Direction	West
Best Surf Season	Winter
Wave Quality	Hit or miss, great all around on a good day, but conditions are ideal only a few times a year
The Surfers	Can get crowded, but usually isn’t terrible. Vibe shifts with the crowd.
Boards	Anything
Paddle Out	Easy
Skill Level	Intermediate to Advanced
Bottom	Sand, rocks, pieces of jetty
Watch Out For…	Lifeguards
Water Condition	Clean