South Beach:
Some time back, state and county officials decided to restore the beaches so important to Miami’s tourism. It was a $64 million project that dredged most spots out of existence, but South Beach was unaffected. Although South Beach is not the only surf spot in Miami — a few little local spots are at the ends of the numbered streets, such as 21st Street, 14th Street and 96th Street — it’s one of the few worth mentioning in detail.
Located in Penrod Park, just east of where I-95 ends, South Beach has the potential to deliver barreling, board-breaking peaks. During north or northeast swell conditions, the A-frames are shapeliest on the incoming tide with offshore (west to northwest) winds. And while it is known through most of the year as a spot that hardly ever works, South Beach can be the only spot breaking statewide when zero-degree north swells bypass the rest of the Florida coast.
If the Gulf Stream looks huge but it’s flat or tiny on the beach, consider making the drive south. Just remember that South Beach requires a large north or northeast swell to get good. While it’s technically an A-frame, the coast faces more southeast and bends these northerly swells into epic rights. When it’s on, overhead barrels break up and down the beach over shallow hard-packed sandbars to the point of being dangerous. The beach can be littered with broken sticks and ambulances will show up with surprising frequency. Ultimately, however, South Beach is a fickle spot with a narrow swell window. It’s not uncommon to paddle back out after a perfect barrel only to find that the ocean has seemingly gone flat.
During the rather lengthy periods between groundswells, South Beach receives a fair amount of east/southeast windswell fall through spring. These windswells are often gutless, and the peaks become mushy as the tide nears full. Nonetheless, South Beach is always a zoo, and the animals are out of their cages. As many as 400 people fill the water with a “Brazilian” style of ocean etiquette. Fistfights occur in the lineup during every swell. It’s an issue of localism, racism and the colloquial “too many rats packed in the same box.” Expect to get dropped in on and say a little prayer as you paddle back out.