Florida gets a lot of attention as the focus of the US East Coast surf scene, but unfortunately it doesn’t get that many swells. A year-round semi-tropical climate and a culture dedicated to pleasure don’t make up for the generally poor sandbars and low-grade wave conditions that often occur. Hurricanes are the exception to the rule as they are the only factors that can turn poor surfing conditions into respectable conditions for few spots. Florida’s long Atlantic coast is made up of barrier islands separated from the mainland by the Intercostal Waterway. To the west lies the equally long Gulf Coast. The beaches near Miami suffer from the shadow of the Bahamas blocking the swells; Palm Beach County is best for NE swells. In this area there are also a couple of breaks that can withstand even the heaviest storms. The north coast from Jacksonville to New Smyrna Beach is characterized by stretched smooth beaches where you can drive to choose a peak to jump on; just search among the occasional piers and inlets. However it is the central Space Coast that is the cradle of the surf industry and the home of famous locations like Cocoa Beach and Sebastian Inlet. The north of Brevard County is part of the Canaveral National Seashore, a pristine area of alligator-infested swamps, bird-filled lagoons and the Jhon F. Kennedy Space Center. Playalinda is a long NE beach that receives the best NE swells (best at low tide). The beach is closed 3 days before each shuttle launch. Cape Canaveral provides some excellent waves but is off limits and anyone who doesn’t comply with the ban risks arrest. Whenever the big NE winter swells arrive, Cocoa Beach Pier offers shelter from the winds. Further down through the Cocoa Beach blocks, with their dead-end streets, there is a great deal of waves to choose from, which are usually longer and more consistent at low tide, and then turn into shorebreak at high tide. Kelly Slater’s house is also in this area. Patrick’s Airforce Base collects most of the NE swells with some consistent sandbars near the few places where you can park. Between Patricks and Indialantic is RCs, one of the few spots with big waves that break with a little more force than the others. Indialantic Boardwalk has a steeper profile beach, which in turn offers faster, fun waves. Jacking mainly offers closeouts but with the right tide stage, you may also find tubing sections; the competition is as high for these places as for the few parking spaces. The Melbourne Beach area is residential, so parking is even more difficult. Florida’s most famous wave is found along A1A, before paying $ 3 for Sebastian Recreation Area to park under the entrance bridge. Sebastian Inlet has the most amazing waves in Florida. At First Peak the waves are usually right-handed and have enough shape and power for fast surf and aerial maneuvers. Further north there are Second Peak and Third Peak, which offer lefts of equal quality and texture. Further north there are the beaches of Chernobyles and Spanish House, which need very large swells to start working and to get the cooing sessions of their waves going. All of these peaks work best with the rising tide. Expect intense crowds and contests on weekends. Join us now for a surfing holiday in Florida!
Tariff per person, starting from:
| Departure | Days Inn Cocoa | International Palm Resort | Comfort Inn & Suites Port Canaveral Area | Hilton Cocoa Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double | Double | Double | Double | |
| From 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 | € 242 | € 431 | € 452 | € 557 |
Notes
Most of the ride-on swells originate from the North Atlantic that blows from October to March. These NE swells range from 3 to 10ft , but usually range more between 2-6ft. Summer can offer waves generated by the sea breezes but this is certainly not the best season. The best waves are generated by a dozen hurricanes that arrive from West Africa and the Caribbean in the months between August and October. Half of these hurricanes, difficult to predict, produce quality waves that rarely exceed 6ft. Winds are mainly onshore with NE-E direction in winter and W-SE in summer. Offshore conditions rarely coincide with decent swells.
How to get there: International flights land in Miami, which is 2 hours away. For domestic flights Orlando, an hour away, is the best option. It is easy to find cheap flights from all over America or Europe. It takes 24 hours to drive to New York and 12 hours to drive to the Outer Banks.
Getting around: Public transport is not efficient. If you can’t rent a car, just stay in one place. The cost of a car ranges from $ 160 a week or so for less expensive cars. The road network is fantastic the A1A is the ultimate for surfing. Many private properties prohibit access to the beach by the limit set by the high.
Accommodation and Food: Choose from ocean view hotels, spacious condos, beach cottages, multi-room bungalows for camping and RV sites. The Surf Motel in Cocoa Beach costs around $ 25 per night for a double. There are many fresh food bars, eclectic and gourmet restaurants.
Climate: The southern tropical climate of the Sun State is ideal for surfing apart from periods of heavy summer rains, intense heat and lack of swell. Most of the year the weather is mild with the exception of the coldest winter days. September and October are the best months for surfing, although storms force surfers to stay out of the water to avoid lightning. You will have to use a 3 / 2mm from December to March when the waters are between 16 ° -18 ° C. South of Fort Pierce the water remains mild year round thanks to the Gulf Stream.
Nature and culture: Orlando Disneyland is famous for the Typhoon lagoon, the best wave pool in the United States. Orange Avenue is full of nightclubs. Visit the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.
Dangers and Annoyances: Florida is the largest place in the world where shark attacks occur. Sebastian Inlet is very busy but miles of beaches spread the masses. Mosquitoes and sea lice are a summer nuisance. Follow the directions of lifeguards who usually prohibit surfing from 9am to 5pm.
Tips: Ron Jon is the largest surf shop in the world, he is one of many in Cocoa Beach and Indialantic.
Exchange rate1 EUR = 1.11 USD
Exchange rate variations (more than 3%) will lead to an adjustment of costs. They will be communicated within 20 days of departure.
The tariff does not include
Duration: 8 days / 6 nights
from € 242 - Excluding flights
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