Surf Forecast  Reef Road

Reef Road surfspot characteristics

More about Reef Road surfspot

Reef Road is Florida’s undisputed best big-wave spot. Located off one of the most expensive oceanfront real estate strips in the world, this high-class lefthander can produce powerful, sucky rides for up to 400 yards. Needs an overhead N to NE swell to start breaking, then it gets better as it gets bigger. It will handle as big as Florida gets, which attracts big-wave aficionados from all over, especially in hurricane season or the depths of winter. Best at low tide incoming, when it breaks over a coquina reef outside then a shallow sandbar inside. Nearer to the south jetty of the Palm Beach Inlet, known as The Cove, there are less critical lefts and the occasional right, which offers more wind protection. Access to the north side of the inlet is also sketchy, so we won’t bother describing the decent waves that break near the sand-pumping house at the base of the north jetty in the exclusive suburb of Palm Beach Shores.

No Parking within 1 mile of reef

No parking within a mile of Reef Road, where even unloading is not permitted. Look for a spot a mile south (no parking restrictions), or even further where the meters start, then hike in. The shoreline real estate is posted as private, but public access is allowed along the high tide line. Considering the access problems, it’s quite amazing how many surfers you’ll meet in the line-up, especially in medium-size conditions. But a big swell will separate the men from the boys thanks to long paddle-outs and guaranteed drillings.