Florida - East Coast
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Daytona Beach, Florida - East Coast. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 12mph from the NNE.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 12s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and very poor conditions with light SSW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 8mph.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light NW winds.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, moderate ENE wind around 7mph, fair conditions. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the WSW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 11mph by PM.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Daytona Beach is a classic exposed beach break producing short, fun waves over shifting sandbars along the iconic Atlantic shoreline. Historically a surfing hub since the 1960s. Waves are generally powerless but consistent in small sizes, making it accessible to beginners and longboarders. Nearby Ponce Inlet and Sunglow Pier often provide better surf quality. Note: cars are allowed to drive on the beach.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Daytona Beach is 0-1+ft with a 6.5s swell period. Wind is NNE at 13mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Daytona Beach is 0-1+ft, produced by a 0.9ft ENE primary swell at 9s, a 0.8ft NE secondary swell at 6s, a 0.6ft ESE tertiary swell at 4s, a 1ft NNE wind swell swell at 3s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Daytona Beach is Wednesday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.15s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Daytona Beach works best with a E swell and W winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Daytona Beach. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Daytona Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Daytona Beach is a classic exposed beach break producing short, fun waves over shifting sandbars along the iconic Atlantic shoreline. Historically a surfing hub since the 1960s. Waves are generally powerless but consistent in small sizes, making it accessible to beginners and longboarders. Nearby Ponce Inlet and Sunglow Pier often provide better surf quality. Note: cars are allowed to drive on the beach.
The prime season at Daytona Beach is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Daytona Beach include rip currents, sharks, vehicles on beach, crowds of swimmers, jellyfish. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Daytona Beach forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
