Surf: General: The pristine, sandbar-laden national park known as Playalinda is salvation for the Titusville surfing community -- which is segregated from the rest of Brevard's breaks by the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. With plenty of sandbars to enjoy, there is little local vibe to fear. New Smyrna Beach is nearly as easy to get to and consistently better, so it draws most of the travel traffic, leaving Playalinda to Titusville locals, and visitors seeking a casual change of pace.

Although it's slightly punchier than Cocoa Beach, Playalinda isn't all that different from the rest of Central Florida. Despite being on the north side of the Cape, the angle is essentially parallel to the southern beaches, so it doesn't provide any new wind/swell combinations. However, if the Cape is blocking a N swell from hitting southern beaches, Playalinda becomes an excellent alternative, especially when it's blowing SW. Like the rest of the state, tides are a matter of what the bottoms are doing from month to month or day to day, but it's still less of a mushburger than the Cocoa Beach breaks. As always, an incoming tide packs the best punch. Tides: Low to mid tide Size: Chest-2' overhead Wind: SW, W Swell: NE-E-SE Bottom: Sand Paddling: You will paddle when a solid hurricane swell is running. Spot Rating: Average swells set up mostly average surf but this spot shines on solid hurricane swells. Access: There is an entry fee. Open year-round, but may be closed at times around rocket launches. Call for 321-267-1110 for info. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Gets crowded but you can find a peak to yourself. The best peaks on a good swell will be packed. Local Vibe: Bring your southern hospitality; not many locals in this area. Environment: Usually very clean. Hazards: Walking too far north. Be warned there is a nude beach on the northern end, and some things you just cannot unsee. Season: Fall-Spring, Hurricane