Overview
Commercial Pier, also known as Anglin's Pier, sits in Lauderdale by the Sea, just east of Commercial Boulevard. The wave is a left that breaks over a sand bottom, and it holds a bit of local status as one of the few Fort Lauderdale spots to recover completely from beach restoration programs. It's also the site of an annual ESA contest, so it has a place on the local calendar.
When It Works
The spot draws its swell from north-northeast to northeast (NNE-NE), and it comes alive on either NNE groundswell or plain windswell. It's usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 1.8 m / 6 ft, covering everything from waist-high days up to the occasional overhead session. Fall through spring is the window to watch, with the wave breaking pretty close to the beach so paddle-outs stay short.
Wind and Tide
Look for west (W) offshore wind to clean things up, though there's a workable wind window running from south-southwest to north (SSW-N). It breaks on low and mid tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is a friendly spot for a wide range of surfers, working for beginners, intermediates, and experts alike, and it takes anything from a shortboard or fish to a funboard or longboard. Expect a busy lineup when it's on, and the crowd can feel a little reserved. Overall it's an average break rather than a spot people travel specifically to surf.
Access
Getting in is surprisingly easy. The water stays surprisingly clean for such a populated area. The one thing to watch is the pier itself, so give it a wide berth in the lineup.
