Surfing the florida panhandle

Who would ever expect to get surf in the Gulf of Mexico? But if you get a hurricane and some wild storms you may get to surf the florida panhandle in the Gulf of Mexico. At least you won't have to worry about all those annoying grommets dropping in on you. There is not much fetch so waves tend to be wind generated and only last a short time. You may be lucky and slot into some fast hollow waves spitting off a shallow sandbar or take off on a long point line. The Florida Panhandle runs from the Alabama border past Dog Island. The best waves are between Perdido Key and Panama City. Highway 98 will get you into most beach towns.

The swells in the Florida Panhandle generally come from the east due to winter cold fronts. The surf is usually flat from June to August unless a hurricane comes along. In the fall storms hit from September to November and most beach breaks will have hollow waves. In winter there should be waves associated with each cold front and you can get waves up to four feet.

Around Panama City you will find various surf spots. The Cement Pier at Panama City Beach is the center of the Redneck Riviera and breaks on any swell. Bud and Alley's are in front of the the restaurant in Seaside. Inlet Beach Pier used to be a private beach but is now open. The pier creates a great sandbar with good waves most of the year. To get to it, take Highway 98, just after C30-A meets up with 98 at the Tom Thumb store. Camp at the Grayton Beach State Recreation Area on the lake for about $8 a night.

Florida panhandle surfing Resources

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