The Surf Window

Cocoa Beach

Florida, USA

Beach breakBeginner

The birthplace of Florida surfing, Cocoa Beach is where Kelly Slater grew up and where Ron Jon Surf Shop first opened, a flat, warm beach break town on the Space Coast with a deep surf heritage despite its gentle waves.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalE (90°)
WindowNNE–SSE (30°–150°)

Wind

W

Offshore

Tide

mid-high tide

LowMidHigh

Season

September–October

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Both

Bottom

Sand

Shape

Very gentle beach break, Florida's flat geography produces small, slow, forgiving waves

Length

15–50m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Beginner
  • •Why: Florida's Atlantic coast is one of the world's flattest surf regions, the gentle waves are great for absolute beginners.

Hazards

  • •Jellyfish and Portuguese Man o' War in summer
  • •Shore pound on rare hurricane swells
  • •Very flat, long periods with no surfable waves

Local Tips

  • •Kelly Slater grew up surfing these tiny waves before becoming the greatest surfer of all time, proof that dedication transcends wave quality.
  • •The Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral is 30 minutes north, launch viewing from the beach is an extraordinary experience.

Location

Map showing the location of Cocoa Beach in Florida, USA

28.3200, -80.6081