Flagpoles (Palm Beach Jetties)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Flagpoles (Palm Beach Jetties) is an exposed beach-and-reef surfing break that is commonly a safe bet for winter surf, when conditions are most favorable. It’s best known for long right-handers that peel along the jetty line, particularly when a solid northeast swell arrives with west winds offshore the break. The wave setup can be powerful in sections: rides can extend up to about 100 meters on optimal swells, but the waves may break quickly into shorter, sectioning parts that often require active technique and pumping to stay in the line. Quality is described as excellent when swell and offshore wind line up. Safety is a major consideration at this spot. Reported hazards include rocks and coral, along with rip currents and strong tidal currents influenced by the nearby inlet. The break is also described as having shallow reef sections at low tide, making it important to plan around tide timing. During winter, shark-related warnings are specifically noted (spinner sharks being very common during the migration period), so swimmers and surfers should be extra cautious. Crowding can also increase when the swell direction and winds align, so arriving early and respecting local lane/priority practices is advised.
- Long right-handers peeling off the jetty
- Best on a solid northeast swell with offshore west winds
- Winter is typically the strongest season
- Clean water quality reported as clean/high-quality
- Long right-handers peeling off the jetty on northeast groundswells with offshore west winds
- Winter conditions are commonly the most consistent
- Exposed break with rocks/coral and shallow reef sections at low tide
- Rips and strong tidal currents near the inlet can make the water hazardous
- Can become very crowded when on
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — West trade winds; also described as offshore west winds for best surfing conditions.
- Reliability
- 22% monthly blown
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported as moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- The jetty can create wind turbulence in the immediate lee.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with reef/jetty influence.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Beach entry via a small sandy area adjacent to the rocks.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch/moderate difficulty due to rocks/reef approach and entry constraints.
Through the year
Crowded during North/Northeast swells in winter.
June to November (Hurricane season).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach-and-reef break near the Palm Beach Inlet/jetty area, working best on a solid northeast swell with west winds; winter aligns with the best swell setup, while summer can trend flatter.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNE, NE, ENE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — Incoming high tide recommended to reduce risk from the shallowest rocks.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the west groom the waves and offshore west winds are best.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size but becomes very heavy and prone to strong currents.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Described as high-quality and capable of very clean peeling waves on suitable swell/wind.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Peeling right-handers are also described for the jetty line; breaks can become heavy and quickly section.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer rides up to 100 meters on optimal swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reported as up to 100 meters, often quickly breaking into sections requiring pumping; right-handers peel off the south jetty line.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Flagpoles (Palm Beach Jetties) in the full forecast view.
Flagpoles (Palm Beach Jetties) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–18 ktsGusts 31 kts
- Direction
- NE40°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2618 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–3.5 m9s period
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Flagpoles (Palm Beach Jetties) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 31 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.4–3.5 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rips
- Rocks
- Coral
- Strong tidal currents from the inlet
- Shallow reef sections at low tide
- Spinner sharks during winter months
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Reported as seasonal at the spot level.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited; U.S. Coast Guard Station Lake Worth Inlet located directly at the inlet with Ocean Rescue patrols nearby.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest emergency services in West Palm Beach; emergency services reached via 911. Nearest hospital is Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Reported as sometimes crowded and includes a local surfing hierarchy to respect.
Rules of the spot
No surfing within the designated shipping channel; respect the local surfing hierarchy and stay clear of the active boat channel in the inlet.
- No surfing within the designated shipping channel
- Best surfed on a solid northeast swell with west winds.
- Works best on an incoming high tide to avoid the shallowest rocks.
- Watch for spinner sharks during the winter months.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Palm Beach
- Nearest Town
- Palm Beach
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Luxury hotels and vacation rentals in Palm Beach, with extensive accommodation options nearby.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants available further south on Palm Beach island.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available through several surf and kite shops within a short radius of the inlet.
- Gear Storage
- Limited to private surf clubs or select retail shops; most riders store gear at their accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops offer board repair; kite and wing repairs typically serviced by specialized shops in the wider area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Palm Beach is described as a world-class destination combining high-end luxury with rugged Atlantic beauty, with marine life influenced by warm Gulf Stream waters that pass closer to the coast here than anywhere else in the U.S.
A 79-acre island featuring snorkeling, camping, and the historic John F. Kennedy Bunker.
An iconic Renaissance-style luxury hotel and historic landmark.
World-renowned shore diving and snorkeling site with diverse marine life.
Popular waterfront dining with views of the inlet and fishing fleets.
Upscale shopping and dining district with Mediterranean-style architecture and hidden “vias”.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Flagpoles (Palm Beach Jetties)?
The best overall months at Flagpoles (Palm Beach Jetties) are January, February, March, April, November, December. The best wind months are January.
Which wind directions work at Flagpoles (Palm Beach Jetties)?
Flagpoles (Palm Beach Jetties) works with W winds. Offshore directions are W.
What skill level is Flagpoles (Palm Beach Jetties) suitable for?
Flagpoles (Palm Beach Jetties) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.