Surf: General: Wedged between two more popular breaks, Perkins and RC’s, Hightower Beach is just as consistent as other Satellite Beach spots, depending on how the sand’s settling around the broken coquina shelf offshore. And it’s equally capable of holding the bigger N/NE swells — double-overhead-plus — to produce long, fast, occasionally hollow lefts. It can be peaky or wally depending on the wind, swell, tide and sand. Perhaps a bit more clandestine than its neighbors, this is nonetheless one of Central Florida’s most consistent waves. Tides: Tends to prefer mid tides. Size: Knee-high to triple overhead. Wind: W Swell: NE, N Bottom: More sand than rock until you reach the shoreline, then proceed with caution. Paddling: Real swells bring real size and real current to Satellite Beach. And it ain’t exactly shorebreak. Spot Rating: Consistently fun. Not as good as RC’s but better than Boardwalk, and it can hold significantly more size than most Brevard breaks. Access: Free parking, scenic boardwalk. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Mellow and tense at the same time. Local Vibe: There are some very good local surfers here. And some very bad local surfers. And visitors, too. The sum of which is a little hostility. Environment: Between Beach Bill legislation and regular water-quality testing, it’s pretty clean. Historically passed water quality tests at least 95% of the time. Hazards: Sharks, lightning, and exposed coquina rock on the inside is a constant nuisance. Season: September-March