5 Best Places To Surf In Florida

Guest Post by: Brennan Valeski

Surfing has a long history in Florida, and there are many great spots to ride the waves. With a full peninsula, The Sunshine State offers many different coastal locations you can travel to. Growing up in Florida, I’ve had the pleasure of going to many beaches and finding out where those hidden gems can be found. Here are the top 5 best places to surf in Florida, along with some tips and tricks for a better surfing experience.

Pro tip: Many Floridians find that the Atlantic side features more intense waves and currents than the Gulf side of Florida. Most beaches you’ll find in this list face the Atlantic vs the Gulf. This higher level of activity is due to the larger and more exposed body of water. When you’re planning your surfing vacation, you’ll definitely want to stop by the Atlantic coast. That’s the best coast for surfers, as seen in this top 5 list:

#1 - St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine, FL resides on the eastern coast of Florida on the Atlantic. Not to mention, it’s also known as the oldest city in the United States. It’s wide beaches give plenty of room for surfers to catch waves. There’s also a very close community of surfers in this area, along with a local surf shop that’s been open for many years. The wealth of history gives this travel destination even more merit than just it’s surfing benefits. There are historic guides, and quite a bit to make this worth a stop on your next vacation.

#2 - New Smyrna Beach, FL

New Symerna Beach, FL is a popular spot for those from Orlando looking to go surfing. This very consistent spot allows surfers to catch a wave almost anytime when going to the beach. It’s got plenty of parking with a large range of food options as well. The beach resides on the Atlantic by the coast. One of the best parts is there isn’t much of a walkout so it’s quick to drive up and get right into the water. Some beaches have long boardwalks to lug out all your surfing gear, and thankfully this is not one of them.

#3 - Cocoa Beach, FL

Cocoa Beach, FL fits as a unique entry to this list with an island style beach. This legendary spot sits home to the first Ron Jon Surf Shop. You’ll find all the watersport and surfing gear you’ll need in this top surfing spot in Florida. It’s also home to the Easter Surf Festival with plenty of beginners and pro’s alike in this location. Cocoa Beach also features the hilarious East Coast Dog Surfing Competition, where people surf their dogs on the water.

#4 - Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach, FL sits home to the famous city and Daytona International Speedway with the NASCAR races. It’s hard packed sands even used to be used to test racing cars, and is where it got its initial popularity. For surfing, it works well on the Atlantic coast with rougher and larger waves. Yet, it can become somewhat crowded with all the attention it gets.

#5 - South Beach, FL

The classic Miami staple, South Beach Florida. This location has been in more movies than any other beach. The famous beach hosts a large size of the surfing community with plenty of waves to be had at the southern tip of the state. Tourists and locals crowd here by the masses for all the sandy fun that the beach offers. This is definitely one of the most popular beach stops and can be somewhat busy in peak season if you're not into crowds.

Surfing Tips and Tricks For A Better Surfing Experience

When surfing it’s important to make sure you’ve got a good balance. An excellent way to practice this before you get out on those waters is to use a skateboard. If you can balance on a skateboard, you can balance on a surfboard (for the most part). Not to mention, it’s a something you can practice at home if you already own a skateboard.

Getting out to the beach can be an awesome way to also get some sun, especially in Florida. One great way to secure that beach tan is to use some tanning oil.

This way, your skin will better absorb the rays out on the water. It’s also recommended to mix it with some sunscreen to protect yourself from the UV damage.

Lastly, be sure to have fun! One of the best ways to do this is to bring some friends along. If you don’t have friends, you can always make them at the beach! Even if you’re a beginner, the surfing community is quite friendly so don’t hesitate to spark conversation with other surfers nearby. If you’re a complete beginner then you can also look for a surf camp to hone in your surfing skills. That way you can rest assured you’re prepared before getting out on the water. Not to mention, you won’t be alone. Best wishes on your next outdoor adventure!

Author Bio

Written By: Brennan Valeski

Brennan Valeski is a writer for SurvivalTechShop.com who loves gear and technology that allows him to be ready for any situation that arises. He shares his personal experiences and recommendations to help you be prepared for your next adventure.