Palmetto Pavilion Surf Cam (2024)

FAQs

Are there waves in South Beach? ›

The heart of the Miami Beach surf scene is centered around South Beach. When the conditions come together and the swell hits, Miami Beach's South Beach can produce some solid, hollow waves.

SW winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts to around 25 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft, occasionally to 5 ft. Wave Detail: S SW 4 ft at 5 seconds. Intracoastal waters a moderate chop.

South Beach:

Located in Penrod Park, just east of where I-95 ends, South Beach has the potential to deliver barreling, board-breaking peaks. During north or northeast swell conditions, the A-frames are shapeliest on the incoming tide with offshore (west to northwest) winds.

New Smyrna Beach

North of Canaveral, you can surf in New Smyrna Inlet, the south side of the famous Ponce de Leon or "Ponce" Inlet. Known locally as "the wave magnet," Smyrna's waves are well suited for trick riding or "hot dogging." It's also now considered the most consistent surf.

Florida isn't known for having the biggest breaks, but Palm Beach's Reef Road rivals even the best. With waves that reach up to 15 feet, Reef Road is widely known as the state's "big-wave spot." In order to get truly great breaks, you need a north to northeast swell at low tide incoming.

The waves that come from the Atlantic Ocean are significantly higher, so if you're looking to go surfing – the East coast is better, he explained. The wind on the East coast drives the waves, Dr. Beach said, leading to better surf and a cool breeze, too. The East coast also has bigger sand dunes than the West, he said.

4ft = Chest-high. 5ft = Head-high. 6-11ft = Overhead. 12ft =Double overhead.

He says that human-caused climate change will force seas to rise in the future, making waves even bigger. A Scripps Institution of Oceanography study from last summer found that California waves have grown, on average, a foot taller in the last 50 years as climate change has heated up the planet.

Why are Florida waves so small? ›

the ocean fetch

On the West Coast, the prevailing winds are behind the waves, which increases the waves' energy. On the East Coast, the prevailing winds blow against the incoming waves, decreasing the waves' energy.

Siesta Key, Florida

Siesta Beach brings the soft, white sands and clear water of the Caribbean to the States. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, the beach earned the title "#1 Beach in the U.S." for three years. Its water is calm and the nearby Point of Rocks is the perfect place to watch the sunset.

The South Beach is one of the most known beaches in Miami, and it surely is one of the hotspots for surfing. You will find the strongest waves at the South Pointe Park, just before the pier, which is also known for decent fishing.

The best time of year for surfing Boca Raton Inlet with consistent clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds) is during Winter and most often the month of January. Clean surfable waves are typically found 4% of the time in January while 23% of the time it tends to be blown out.

At certain breaks such as Peahi (aka “Jaws”), the waves can grow to over 70 feet during the largest swells of winter. At breaks such as Honolua Bay on the northwestern coastline of the island, 20 ft. waves such as the one below create one of the best surf breaks in Hawaii.

Overall, Miami technically isn't known for its surfing, but you can be surprised on those lucky, epic days of surfing if you can be patient and keep your eye on the storms and forecasts. Most of the year, Miami is flat as a lake but it could be perfect for learning how to surf on a knee high wave.

Usually, however, local winds cause waves at our shores. Therefore, one may expect rip currents on days with strong onshore winds.

Minimal (ankle high or less) surf. Choppy with NE winds 25-30mph.

Siesta Key, Florida

Siesta Beach brings the soft, white sands and clear water of the Caribbean to the States. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, the beach earned the title "#1 Beach in the U.S." for three years. Its water is calm and the nearby Point of Rocks is the perfect place to watch the sunset.