Venice Jetties South is a key spot on the Gulf Coast surf scene. It draws a lot of surfers, especially when waves are fun. The setup features hard-packed sandbars and rock jetties, which help create those wedge-shaped waves that surfers love. While this area generally catches the NW swells, it doesn't hold quite as much size as the North Jetties during the bigger SW swells. However, it's known for having steeper, faster, and hollower waves, particularly during the winter months. You can often find A-frame peaks when conditions are just right. Overall, Venice Jetties South is as consistent as you’ll find on the West Florida coast.
The wave height can range from around knee-high (about 0.6 meters) to a few feet overhead (up to 2.1 meters). You'll notice the best action when swells come from the West, Southwest, and Northwest directions, with effective sizes between 2ft (0.6m) to 7ft (2.1m). The waves break over sand, making it a good beach break setup. For optimum conditions, aim for winds coming from the North-Northeast to East-Southeast and tide heights around low to mid. This spot works well for intermediate to expert surfers, and you can ride various boards here, including shortboards, fish, funboards, longboards, and even skimboards.
Access is pretty easy with free parking nearby, but be ready for crowds. When the surf gets good, it can get quite hectic with surfers packed in tightly. The local vibe can be a bit intense, as there are a lot of rookies out there, but the experienced crowd can also come to life if the waves are firing. Keep in mind that during the peak season from September to March, you'll definitely want to brace yourself for some lively surf sessions.