Central Florida
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Positives
- Endless beaches
- Easy waves
- Hurricane swells
- Tourism heaven
Negatives
- Small windchop waves
- Summer flat spells
- Major spots crowded
- High shark bite factor
Central Florida surf travel guide
Florida’s northern coast from Daytona to Jacksonville features a stretch of flat beaches with endless peaks between the occasional jetties and inlets. However, it is the centrally located ‘Space Coast’ that is the surf industry cradle and home to such famous locations as New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach and Sebastian Inlet. Despite the generally poor sandbanks and small mushy conditions that occur most of the time, when a hurricane delivers powerful lines of swell, a few spots will turn on, with classic waves for the large local population, but the wait can be misery.
Surf spots in Central Florida
Research the 21 surf breaks in Central Florida and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 21 breaks in Central Florida.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Central Florida
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Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Population
- 21,480,000
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- USD
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +1
- Dialing out
- 011
- Emergencies
- 911
- Language
- English, Spanish
Electricity
- Plug Type
- ab
Visas
Due to Covid there are special restrictions so it is essential to check the latest news before booking any trip.
Normally most Europeans, Aussies, Kiwis and Japanese are part of the Visa waiver program so do not need a visa to enter the USA for up to 90 days, but they do need to apply for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) which costs US$14.
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta.
Other nationalities need to check as the rules are constantly being adjusted.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_the_United_States
Getting There
Most international flights will land in Miami, 2h away. Nationals will favour Orlando, 1hr away. It’s easy to get cheap flights from all over the Americas or Europe. It’ll take 24h to drive to New York and 12h to the Outer Banks.
Getting Around
Public transport sucks but car rentals are super cheap. The road network is fantastic, the A1A being the ultimate surfroad. Many private property areas have prohibited beach access above the high tide mark.
Accommodation
Choose from ocean front hotels, spacious condos, beachside cottages, multi-bedroom bungalows to campground and RV sites. Heaps of raw bars, eclectic eateries and gourmet restaurants.
Activities
Orlando’s Disneyland is notable for Typhoon Lagoon wavepool. The Orange Avenue nightclubs are lively. Check the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral.
Hazards & hassles
With 244 attacks (1 fatal) in last decade, Florida is the world’s shark bite leader. Sebastian peaks get much crowd pressure but miles of average beaches spread the masses. Mosquitoes, sealice and sand sea-ums are a summer bummer. Respect lifeguard’s beach restrictions, which often prevent surfing between 9am-5pm.
Handy Hints
Ron Jon’s, the worlds’ largest surf shop (or 9 acre tourist stop), is one of many in Cocoa Beach or Indialantic. Lots of fine shortboard shapers (Natural Art, Quiet Flight).
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.