Generally, you can't surf in the Florida Keys due to coral reefs, marine geography, and the resulting lack of waves. The Florida Keys are protected by the Great Florida Reef, which is the third largest barrier reef in the world.

Can you surf in the Florida Keys?

The heart of the Key West surf scene is centered around South Beach. When the conditions come together and the swell hits, Key West's South Beach can produce some solid, hollow waves. ... When it comes to surfing in Key West, Surfline surf reports and surf forecasts are an ideal way to make sure you know when to go.

Can you surf on Florida's Gulf Coast?

It's known by many as the best surfing in Florida. Florida's Gulf coast doesn't offer the surf of the state's Atlantic coast, but all winter, you'll find surfers lined up at the best breaks from St. Petersburg to Venice Inlet and all across the northwest.

Why don t the Florida Keys have waves?

The Keys has the longest living coral reef in America, running 221 miles from Key Largo FL and continuing southwest to the Dry Tortugas National Park. The coral reefs protection keeps the waves from crashing ashore, which causes erosion. This also means the water inshore of the coral reefs is shallower, and calmer.

Is there any good surfing in Florida?

The 10 best surfing spots in Florida

• Cocoa Beach. Just east of Orlando is Cocoa Beach, the birthplace of the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop and 11-time World Surf League #1 pro, Kelly Slater. ...
• South Beach. ...
• New Smyrna Beach Inlet. ...
• Ponce Inlet. ...
• Jacksonville. ...
• Pensacola Beach. ...
• Sebastian Inlet. ...
• Reef Road.

You CAN Surf in the Florida Keys! It looks like this...

44 related questions found

Why are there no beaches in the Keys?

The Keys don't have wide sandy beaches because the coral reefs we enjoy as snorkelers and scuba divers prevent the erosion and sand from building up along the shore. So while the beaches aren't what make the Keys special, there are still some pretty special beaches in the Keys.

Can I surf in South Florida?

Unless you're a local, South Florida is not known to be a great place for surfers. Most will head 2+ hours north to renowned surf spots such as Cocoa Beach & New Smyrna Beach. If you're visiting and looking to find some waves or a local who wants to know where the hot spots are, keep reading.

Is California or Florida better for surfing?

Unlike Florida, the waves in California are larger and more powerful than the waves in Florida! Hence, with stronger waves, you will easily notice more surfers. With my observation, I did notice there were more powerful waves. The waves are definitely more popular among surfers in California.

Are there any sandy beaches in Key West?

1. Smathers Beach. Smathers Beach is Key West's most popular beach, earning its place with excellent swimming conditions, two miles of sandy shores, and plenty of things to do.

Why does the Gulf have no waves?

Because the Gulf of Mexico is a comparatively small basin compared to the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans the wave lengths in the Gulf are much shorter. ... Rougher seas mean slower travel speeds which can make reaching deep waters a problem for a 12 hour trip.

Can you surf in Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale SURF: ... Depending on the swell direction, there is surfing all year on most days at one of the beautiful, blue water beaches in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale TURF: Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport : An EZ two miles from the beach.

Can you surf on the East Coast?

While some surfers argue that the East Coast can't stand up to the waves of the West Coast and Hawaii, these 8 best East Coast surfing spots might change their mind. Between awesome views and spectacular surf for those of all experience levels, these 8 spots might make you an East Coast believer.

Can you surf on the Gulf of Mexico?

When most people think of the Gulf of Mexico, surfing probably never crosses their mind. However, the gulf is more than capable of producing quality surf. The gulf waves are influenced by tropical weather, such as hurricanes and cold fronts, often producing much higher quality surf that most would expect.

Does Florida Keys have big waves?

The barrier reef does it's job of protecting the Florida Keys from large ocean waves. There is no surfing in Key West because there is no surf. Without those big waves hitting the Keys, the mechanism required for creating sand naturally is missing. Most beaches in the Keys are man-made for this reason.

When can you surf in Florida?

The typical surfing season in Florida runs from early August through to spring. However, November through March tends to be when you get the best waves. And if you are more experienced June to September, Hurricane season, can also bring great waves.

Can you surf in Clearwater FL?

Know Before You Go: Surf, Weather & Travel Info

Clearwater is the first of the white-sand beach towns along Florida's Gulf Coast. ... Surfing on the patrolled area of Clearwater's public beach is not allowed, but surfers flock to the area at the north end and take advantage of a double-sandbar beachbreak known as 880.

Does Key Largo have beaches?

Like many of the other Florida Keys, Key Largo doesn't have any natural beaches due to its shallow waters, but it does have some man-made beaches for visitors in the area to enjoy. As previously mentioned, some of the beaches around Key Largo are reserved for private use.

Is the water clear in Key Largo?

In Key Largo your best bet would probably be at John PenneKamp State Park; the beaches there are a bit rocky and shallow too, but you can swim out beyond that. The waters are clear and "Caribbean" blues and greens throughout the Keys.

Are there sharks in Key West?

Are there sharks in Key West? Yes, of course there are sharks in Key West. We're situated on a small island surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico–shark's natural habitat.

Is Florida bad for surfing?

The State of Florida Surfing

As a surf destination, Florida is seen globally as poor mostly due to the wide continental shelf that subtracts power from approaching swells, but local surfers enjoy occasional quality (dare I say world-class) surf. ... Most Florida surf spots are sand bottom beach breaks.

Why is the water in California cold?

The water along the coast of California is cold for a couple of reasons. First, the California Current brings cold water from Alaska southward along the coast. And second, cold water from the deep ocean comes up to the surface through a process called upwelling. ... So water from the deep ocean is sucked to the surface.

Can you surf in Florida in the summer?

During summer, Atlantic Beach is a prime spot for beginners. Travel south to Jacksonville Beach, near the new Jacksonville Beach Pier, to find abundant sand breaks at the end of every beach access. For surfers seeking the area's largest, most challenging swells, plan a visit for fall or spring.

Where can I surf in South Beach?

The Best Places to Go Surfing in South Florida

• South Pointe on South Beach. Grab your board and head to the southern end of South Beach. ...
• Haulover Beach. On the northern tip of Miami Beach lies the Haulover Beach inlet, where you're free to surf in open waters. ...
• Jupiter Inlet on Jupiter Beach. ...
• Boynton Beach. ...
• Pompano Beach.

Can you surf Miami beach?

The best place to go surfing in Miami is in South Beach (at 1st Street, next to the jetty). The surf conditions are flat almost every day of the year, but when a swell does happen, you will find a classic beach break, with powerful, A-Frame waves. North swells are rare, but when its good the waves are fast and hollow.