Overview
Bud and Alley's sits behind the restaurant of the same name in Seaside, on Florida's Emerald Coast, where the water takes on its signature green cast. Locals call it "the break behind Bud's," and it pulls a crowd as much for the setting as for the surf. The inside is mediocre at best, but the outside can turn on and get good on the bigger days, making it a fine spot to trade waves and lounge on the beach with the rich and famous.
When It Works
This is a sand-bottomed beach break that peels both right and left. It draws swell from southwest to south-southeast (SW-SSE) and is usable from 1.2 m / 4 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft. Smaller days stay waist to head high on the inside, while big outside days can stack up overhead peaks. Look for the best conditions through spring, autumn, and winter, with hurricane season adding to the mix.
Wind and Tide
Look for offshore wind from the north-northeast (NNE), sitting inside a broader workable wind window that runs from north-northwest to east-northeast (NNW-ENE). It works across low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
Everything from shortboards and fish to funboards and longboards has a place here, and the wave can suit beginners through to experts depending on the day. The lineup stays quiet and a touch reserved, so jostling for waves is rarely an issue. Paddling is easy on small days but turns into more of a grind once the swell picks up.
Access
Park in the lot at the boardwalk and walk about five minutes to the beach. Seaside is two miles east of Grayton Beach on Scenic Road C-30A. Coming from Panama City, follow Highway 98 west to the Inlet Beach bridge, then turn left onto C-30A at the Tom Thumb food store, three miles past the bridge.
