Why doesn t Florida get big waves?

The fetch or distance a wave has to form, is relatively short in South Florida due to the proximity of the Bahamian islands. Occasionally in the wintertime when strong northerly winds prevail surfable waves will come from the north, the only direction that is open enough for waves of sufficient height to form.



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The state has great waves, warm water, and thousands of miles of coastline to explore. Florida's east coast contains a majority of the best Florida surfing spots. You can find big waves and more consistent surf than on the Gulf Coast.

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Florida: Florida's east coast and Gulf coast offer surfers a unique experience with warm waters and a tropical climate. While Florida doesn't have the consistent, high-quality waves found in California and Hawaii, it has its own charm and attracts surfers looking for a different vibe and milder conditions.

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Beaches south of Tampa Bay tend to have larger and better surf than those north of the bay. To be rideable with a surfboard, you'll need waves at least 2 or 3 feet high. A typical cold front swell will top out at 3 to 5 feet, with particularly strong fronts bringing 5 to 8 feet once or twice a season.

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The world Meteorological Organization establishes record oceanic wave heights. The current world record wave height is 62.3 feet measured by a buoy in the North Atlantic Ocean at 6am UTC on February 4, 2013 at 59 degrees north, 11 degrees west. It was located between Iceland and the United Kingdom.

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Large winter storms moving south of Alaska send waves to Hawaii. These waves travel a shorter distance than from the storms in the southern hemisphere. There are also no islands between Hawaii and these storms, meaning Hawaii gets all the big waves.

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Florida is the hotter and more humid state when compared to California; you might even want to call it tropical. Although Florida doesn't have as much of a diverse landscape as the Golden State, it has miles of incredible beaches, and life is very much focused on the coast.

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Home to several Guinness World Records - including the largest wave ever ridden and biggest wave ever surfed by a woman - Nazaré's Praia do Norte is a rare natural phenomenon. Despite being a beach break, it is so powerful and heavy that some call it the surfboard-breaking machine.

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Because in pro surfing Hawaii is a sovereign nation, separate from the United States, and each of its citizens carries the proud suffix after his or her surname: HAW. While there is an actual reason for this designation, sometimes it does seem like a free-for-all in the global pro surfing community.

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There may be barrier islands, artificial breakwaters, or large reefs that break large waves before they reach the beach, so only small waves make it to the beach. You may have visited on a particularly calm day.

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Cocoa Beach is located on a barrier island, nestled in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Banana River Lagoon on the Central East Coast of Florida.

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Water Temperature: The water temperature in South Florida can vary depending on the time of year and location. During the winter months, the water can be quite chilly in Central and North Florida, so a full wetsuit with boots may be necessary. In the summer, it's usually boardshorts and a rashguard will suffice.

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