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: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 17mph.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on E swell at 9s 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 winds out of the ESE. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 12mph from the E and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on E swell at 11s with moderate ESE wind around 8mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on E swell at 8s with light SE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 13mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
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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 1-2ft with a 6.6s swell period. Wind is ESE 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 Daytona Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.6ft NE primary swell at 6s, a 1ft E secondary swell at 8s, a 0.3ft ENE tertiary swell at 13s. 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 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 5.05s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. 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.
