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.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, strong ESE wind at 16mph, poor conditions.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on E swell at 8s with 8mph SE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 15mph from the E and dropping conditions to poor.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on E swell at 8s with light ESE winds. The E wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and poor - fair by then.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on E swell at 6s and 8mph from the ESE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on E swell at 5s with light SE winds. The E wind kicks in by afternoon — 13mph and poor - fair by then.
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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 2-3ft with a 6.5s swell period. Wind is ESE at 13mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Daytona Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.1ft NE primary swell at 6s, a 1.1ft E secondary swell at 8s, a 0.3ft ENE tertiary swell at 12s, a 1.5ft ESE wind swell swell at 4s. 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 Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 5.55s 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.
