Surf: General: Past Boca, Broward County's former spring break mecca of Fort Lauderdale anchors a string of smaller coastal towns -- Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Pompano Beach, Lauderdale by the Sea, Dania and Hollywood -- each of which has its own set of breaks. All of Broward's surf spots are within an hour-strike of each other, function under similar conditions, and are easy-to-hit off A1A. It's also the most populated and least surf-friendly stretch of South Florida. Deerfield Pier works best on strong southeast windswells, or during the brief easterly Providence Channel swells, a phenomenon that occurs mostly from hurricanes tracking toward the Bahamas with winds in just the right spot. North/northeast swells break at the pier as well, but they tend to be mushy. The Deerfield Pier is a popular spot and carries something of a local vibe. There is some metered parking along the waterfront. It costs $1/hour and more parking can be found on the side streets. Tides: Low and incoming Size: Waist-high to overhead Wind: SE, WNW Swell: NE, ESE, SE Bottom: Sand but some patches of reef on the outside Paddling: Breaks pretty close to the beach. Spot Rating: Average surf for the most part and a go to spot during windswells for wind protection. Better spots around. Access: Parking can be difficult when the beaches are crowded. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Moderate. Local Vibe: Pretty mellow overall. Environment: Water surprisingly clean being near such a populated area. Hazards: Watch crowds, man-of-war and sea lice. Season: Fall-Spring