The Treasure Coast & Sebastian Inlet Surfing Guide (2024)

Terry Gibson

Hawaiian, Californian and Australian surfers still scratch their heads in wonder at how Florida managed to produceKelly Slater, the greatest surfer who ever lived, as well as disproportionate number of athletes who earned spots on the elite world tour.

Well, most of Florida’s East Coast and some places along the Gulf offer a diversity of waves that have groomed some of the sport’s finest. Plus, the surf gets really good here in the Sunshine State, more often than you’d think, especially along the Treasure Coast.

Sebastian Inlet Surfing

Stunning, naturalSebastian Inlet State Parkis arguably the epicenter of East Coast competitive surfing. It’s where native sons including Kelly Slater, theHobgood twinsand theLopez brothersfirst learned to rip in powerful waves.

On the north side of the inlet, swells reflect off the jetty and are amplified. Surfers flock to this stretch of beach because the jetty makes the waves jack up taller and thicker over the shallow sandbars, creating three or four different peaks up the beach. It’s one of the best places to watch some of the best surfers on earth in high-performance action. Watch from the beach, or from the jetty looking down over the surf.

Tip: Novice and inexperienced surfers will have more fun up the beach to the north, where the waves and crowds aren’t as heavy. Given west winds and peaky conditions, those beach breaks can be some of the best, most hollow waves in the state.

Best Conditions: Sebastian Inlet surfing experts know it is a swell magnet. It catches swells virtually year-round from the southeast, east and northeast. The waves are best on lower tides, especially the start of the incoming tide. But it’s no fun when hard north/northeast winds create strong currents that can carry surfers into the jetty pilings.

Amenities:The 755-acre park offers picnic pavilions, restrooms and showers. When you’re surfed out, get refreshments at the snack bar and check out the McLarty Museum and theSebastian Fishing Museum, which tell the histories of the kinds of bounty for which the Treasure Coast is named, and the history of its rich fishing industry.

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park

Fort Pierce Inlet State Parkalso offers spectacular beauty and excellent surf. Located in Fort Pierce on the south end of North Hutchinson Island, it is also one of the most consistent and shapely surf spots on Florida’s East Coast. The surf is best when the tide is about half way in or higher, and not too far out on the falling tide. It primarily receives swells from the north/northeast. Though typically very user friendly, with lots of different peaks up and down the beach, a strong north wind/current sets up dangerous conditions that could land you in the jetty rocks.

Amenities:This 340-acre park offers picnic pavilions with grills, restrooms and showers. Once you’re done with your Sebastian Inlet surfing experience, enjoy the hiking trail or go fishing from the beach or along the inlet.