Surf's up! With some of the best surfing in Florida, Jacksonville is the perfect place for first-timers to seasoned veterans. Take a lesson on a long board, watch the surfers catch waves at Jacksonville Beach Pier or slide across the break on skim boards in Atlantic Beach.
Whether you are a grom just getting your board wet or a pro looking to master your moves, Jacksonville’s beaches offer prime surf all year-long. The winter months bring the biggest surf, and summers are ideal for beginners to test out their skills. Jacksonville’s beach break with its soft, sandy bottom, allows for tough tumbles to be taken without risk of bumping into a reef. Our long stretches of sandy beaches also allow for plenty of space for new surfers to find their footing. Surfing is a skill that anyone can learn at any age. All it takes is determination and a sense of humor. It is easy to get frustrated trying to catch those first waves, but once it happens — it is magic!
Professional surfers descended on Jacksonville’s beaches for a nighttime surf competition. Watch this video that highlights the city’s surf scene!
North Florida is flush with surf history and serves as a haven for surfers who believe in the nature of surfing. In Jacksonville, you won't find big brand labels based here, but instead, there are world-class surfers and shapers who are truly invested in the authentic surf life that Jax offers, as they have been for over half a century.
Champion Justin Quintal, currently one of the best longboarders in the world, can be seen cruising his tricked-out VW bus around the beaches when he isn’t traveling the world. Supermodel and pro surfer Karina Petroni was raised on Jacksonville’s waves, where she built her career as one of the best female surfers in the world.
The history of North Florida surf culture goes back to the 1960s when surfing became a hip national phenomenon rather than a regional beach pastime. Bruce Clelland was the first surfer from North Florida to put the region on the world surf map. In 1964, the Endless Summer surf movie crew came to Jacksonville Beach, and that day they had a contest for local riders. They recognized Clelland’s talent and invited him to be on the Surfboard’s Hawaii Team. In 1965, he joined the tour and blew people’s minds as an East Coast surfer. He dominated the East Coast scene over the next decade and made a name for North Florida surfers competing against some of the best in the country. He was inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame in 2000.
Larry Miniard is another North Florida legend, brought up on the scene in the 1960s with Bruce Clelland. Miniard competed in the World Contest in 1966 in San Diego. He went on to represent the United States in the following 3 world championships, becoming the only surfer in history to represent his country four times at the World Contest. Today, he is one of the best anglers in the region with a national reputation as an expert sport fisherman.
Joe Rolland made a name for Jacksonville in 1968. He was crowned the Eastern Surf Association's first Men’s Champion. This was the first year surfboards dropped below nine feet; he used one of the earliest “shortboards”, and he soon named his own board style. The move away from longboard surfing to smaller boards changed surf culture for the long haul. Rolland continued to shape boards and compete through the 1970s.
In 1977, eight-year-old Sean Mattison surfed his first competition in Jacksonville Beach. He went on to become a pro as a teenager in the 1980s. By 2003, he won the United States Surfing Champion title and won Gold with Team USA in ISA World Championships. Today, he is arguably one of the best board designers in the world.
For rookie surfers, Atlantic Beach is perfect. It is a long beach, so even when there is a crowd it is spread out giving groms plenty of room to catch a wave. The break is good year-round, but winter is peak season. Across the stretch of beach, the break is solid, making any beach access a good choice.
In north Jacksonville at Huguenot Park, the waves are cranking all year, with it topping in winter. Local surfers ranging from expert to mid-level love this beach’s break, which is killer on the incoming tide. It is a busy scene, but a great spot to connect with locals and get the scoop on other surf spots in the region.
Also known as “the Poles” this is another local hotspot for expert to mid-level surfers. Best in winter, but good year-round, the break here is prime at low tide. Weekends are packed when the surf’s up, but if you are looking for another true local hangout this is it.
There is no doubt that the best ways to experience the wonders of Jax is via the water. From swimming, surfing and wakeboarding to SUP yoga and sunset sails, there’s no better way to beat the heat than getting wet.
The top 6 outdoor attractions to explore in Jacksonville.
