Belleair is a sand-bottomed beach break on Florida's Gulf coast that faces a little more to the north than nearby Indian Rocks, which makes it the pick when a weak cold front brings north wind. The peaks throw both rights and lefts. It's a modest, run-of-the-mill spot, but it earned a footnote in surf history as the beach where Cory Lopez and friends chased close-to-shore runners in the old Lost videos.
When It Works
Belleair draws swell from north-northwest through north to southwest and breaks over sand into short rights and lefts. It's usable from 1.5 m / 5 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft. The main window runs through autumn, winter, and spring, with hurricane swells adding to the season. Paddling out is easy most days, though the bigger windswell days can make it more of a workout.
Wind and Tide
Look for east offshore wind to clean it up, inside a workable wind window that runs from north-northeast through east to south-southeast. It breaks on low and mid tide, with mid tide the best call and a rising tide generally better.
Local Tips
Expect a quiet lineup that can feel a touch reserved. The wave suits everyone from beginners to experts and works on shortboards, funboards, longboards, or a skimboard. Shuffle your feet on the walk out to the shallow sandbar to avoid stingrays, and keep an eye out for sharks.
Access
Access is very difficult, with mostly private parking through the residential area around the beach. Keep driving south from Sand Key and you'll spot the Belleair Beach Motel. The water is usually clean apart from the occasional red tide outbreak.
