Northern Florida
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Positives
- Quality inlet waves
- Decent pier surf
- Most consistent waves in Florida
- Less shoreline development
Negatives
- Cold water in winter
- Long summer flat spells
- Super-crowded hotspots
- Shark attack capital of the world
Northern Florida surf travel guide
Northern Florida from Jacksonville to Cape Canaveral includes Nassau, St Johns, Flagler, and Volusia counties. There are plenty of well-defined waves courtesy of numerous piers and jetties. The large breakwaters of the St Johns River, St Augustine, and Ponce inlets are real focal points for quality surf, attracting large surfing populations from inland cities like Gainesville and Orlando. Fishing piers are strategically located, albeit with the usual keep-your-distance laws, and some areas of Northern Florida allow beach driving, helping surfers access less crowded peaks along long stretches of beachbreak.
This coastline is far less developed than to the south; the State Park system is a welcome respite from the hotels perched on the high tide line, blockading the beaches. Jacksonville, St Augustine and Daytona Beach are the big population centers, which also describes their typical summer line-ups. New Smyrna is reputedly the most consistent break in Florida, and the summer crowds attest to the fact.
Surf spots in Northern Florida
Research the 22 surf breaks in Northern Florida and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 22 breaks in Northern Florida.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Northern Florida
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Northern Florida.
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, 5h away. Nationals will favour Orlando, 2hr away or Jacksonville. It’s easy to get cheap flights from all over the Americas or Europe. It’ll take 24h to drive from New York and 12h from 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
Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve is an historic coastal nature preserve with wetland, salt marsh & hardwood forest habitats. Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve is a large wildlife reserve with multiple parks for hiking, picnicking & other outdoor opportunities.
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
Many, many surf shops and 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.