Florida - East Coast
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at 18th Street for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at 18th Street, Florida - East Coast. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Tue, Jun 30: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1ft and poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 12mph by PM.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2ft waves on ESE swell at 9s with light winds out of the NNE. The NE wind kicks in by afternoon — 13mph and poor by then.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on ENE swell at 8s with light NE winds. The NE wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and poor by then.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on ENE swell at 7s with gentle S breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 12mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and very poor with light SSW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.
18th Street is a laid-back beach break tucked along Florida's East Coast near Jacksonville Beach, where the Atlantic coastline faces northeast and picks up energy from passing nor'easters and tropical swells. Waves here tend to be punchy and short-lived, offering fun peaks ideal for longboarders and beginners working on their fundamentals. The spot comes alive in fall when hurricane-generated swells push up the coast, delivering some of the best conditions this stretch of Florida's East Coast has to offer.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at 18th Street is 1ft with a 8.7s swell period. Wind is ENE at 11mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at 18th Street is 1ft, produced by a 1.3ft ESE primary swell at 9s, a 1.4ft NE 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 18th Street is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.6s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
18th Street works best with a NE 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 18th Street. 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.
18th Street is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. 18th Street is a laid-back beach break tucked along Florida's East Coast near Jacksonville Beach, where the Atlantic coastline faces northeast and picks up energy from passing nor'easters and tropical swells. Waves here tend to be punchy and short-lived, offering fun peaks ideal for longboarders and beginners working on their fundamentals. The spot comes alive in fall when hurricane-generated swells push up the coast, delivering some of the best conditions this stretch of Florida's East Coast has to offer.
The prime season at 18th Street 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 18th Street include strong currents, rip currents, jellyfish, sharks, crowds during peak swell. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our 18th Street 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
