16th St. South is a popular surf spot located in Cocoa Beach. It serves as a decent option for surfers looking to catch some waves, especially when conditions aren’t ideal at other nearby breaks. This spot offers plenty of space for surfers to find their own wave, but be ready for the crowd if the swells are good. The access points usually have parking available, but they can fill up quickly on weekends.
The surf here is mostly a beach break over sand, with waves that can roll in from various directions, including NorthNorthEast, NorthEast, EastNorthEast, East, and EastSouthEast. This spot can handle swells from about 2ft (0.6m) up to 8ft (2.4m), which gives surfers a good range to choose from. The waves generally break both right and left, making it suitable for different surfing styles. It works best around low to mid tide, with high tide sometimes being okay as well. The preferred wind directions are SouthSouthWest, SouthWest, WestSouthWest, West, WestNorthWest, NorthWest, and NorthNorthWest. This spot is considered pretty average overall and is best visited during the fall to spring season, particularly when there's hurricane swell.
Paddling can be manageable, although it might get challenging when the surf picks up. Surfing here is suitable for beginner, intermediate, and expert levels, making it a versatile spot for all kinds of surfers. The environment is usually clean, and while the local vibe tends to be mellow, you might want to watch out for the occasional shark or man-o-war in the water. Bring whatever board you like—shortboards, funboards, longboards, fish, bodyboards, and even gear for skimming or bodysurfing can work well here.