Fort Pierce North Jetty is located in Fort Pierce State Park, which is a nice public area in Central Florida. To find it, just drive south on A1A, follow the signs, and you'll hit the park entrance in no time—less than a mile away. This spot is historically significant, as it was one of the first places surfers hit in Florida. You do need to pay an entrance fee to access the park, and it opens at 8 a.m., but you can grab an annual pass if you want to visit more frequently.
The surf here typically offers a decent mix of swells, handling sizes from 2 feet (about 0.6 meters) up to 10 feet (around 3 meters). The best waves come from the northeast to east-northeast swells. Right-hand waves break nicely near the jetty, with lefts showing up on rare occasions. The area is well-suited for various board types, including shortboards, longboards, funboards, fish, and even bodyboards. You can catch good surf on all tides, but it's particularly good around high tide. Just watch out for the strong currents and know that it can get pretty crowded, especially on weekends.
Overall, Fort Pierce North Jetty is pretty beginner-friendly and allows for easy paddling. While you can surf here throughout the spring, autumn, and winter, just be aware that the local vibe is straightforward—humility and respect go a long way with the locals. Expect the surf to be a bit of a zoo during peak times, but there are usually enough peaks to share. Keep an eye on the wind; best conditions come with light west winds. If you want some peace and quiet, early mornings before 8 a.m. are your best bet.