Best Florida Surf Spots – Where To Surf In Florida
Lauren Collison September 29th, 2023 Posted In: Articles Tags: Surfing
The Top 5 Best Surf Spots in Florida
I’ve been outfitting surfers since 2002 — and I’ve been surfing myself. In the process of working with my clients and exploring on my own, I’ve figured out that while California and Hawaii steal the spotlight as surfing meccas, Florida is home to many terrific places to ride the waves. Here’s a list of the top five best Florida surf spots, no matter your experience:
1. Cocoa Beach
If you’re puzzling over where to surf in Florida, Cocoa Beach’s famed pier should top your list. The pier catches many different types of swell, which has made it a place for many historic surfing competitions. Ocean temperatures here get as low as 68 in February and rise to an average of 86 in late July. This beach is just south of Cape Canaveral, the site for many a famous rocket launch, so drop by the Kennedy Space Center for a tour when you’re done riding the waves.
2. New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach ranks highly on any list of Florida surf spots. The surfers here are famously hardcore, and many sandbars — like the famous Shark Shallows near Ponce Inlet — create quality waves year-round. Expect ocean temperatures as low as 66 in mid-February or as high as 86 in late July.
3. Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is maybe best known for NASCAR, but it’s a classic surfing town, too, and draws many visitors for Spring Break. The beach has a soft sandy bottom that makes it great for beginners, and its regular swells offer plenty of practice. There are a ton of instructors, too, so even novices are welcome here. Water temperatures here get as low as 59 degrees in February and work their way up to 80 all summer long.
4. Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville Beach is actually a set of related beaches, each with their own appeal. Atlantic Beach, for instance, offers smaller right and left waves at its many beach breaks, while Huguenot Park serves up punchy waves that crest as high as 2 feet overhead. Ocean temperatures will vary from anywhere between 60 and 65 degrees in winter, when the waves are best. Alternately, wait until summer, when the water will get as warm as 83 degrees.
5. St. Augustine Beach
There aren’t many top-notch surfing spots on the Gulf Coast. But the beaches near St. Augustine, a historic Spanish colony, deliver. The town’s renowned for having a friendly, down-to-earth surfing culture that’s sure to make you feel welcome, no matter your experience or skill. The sea temperature here dips down to 62 in January and February and rises to nearly 84 degrees in August.
Figuring out what wetsuit in certain water temperatures can be tricky, so check out this water temperature chart to guide you in the right direction:
Wetsuit Wearhouse: Water Temperatures
Editor’s Note
This blog post was originally published in 2017 and has since been reviewed and updated. (9/23)
