Fortieth Street

Fortieth Street is a rarely crowded, low-profile surf spot at the northern edge of Highland Beach. It is described as quite exposed, with waves breaking on a beach-break setup over a mixed sand-and-rock bottom, and it can work year-round. Conditions are most often best when West winds blow offshore, helping keep the water more groomed. The spot is specifically noted as working best with North, Northeast, or East swells, and low tide is the preferred tidal state for forming better waves. Typical surf patterns can include both left and right waves, but overall surf quality is reported as limited/average with a low percentage of clean swells and a high frequency of smaller, less-clean wave days. Safety is a major focus here: reported hazards include rocks, rip currents, sharks, jellyfish, and coral, with limestone/reef patches that can be submerged—particularly at low tide. Portuguese Man-o-war are also noted as a winter-season concern when onshore winds come up. The area is primarily residential, so approach with care for shore and access conditions, and follow standard surfing etiquette. Practical constraints include extremely limited nearby parking and access through a small public path. Lifeguards are not reported for the spot itself, so plan as if rescue help may be limited and stay conservative around rips and submerged hazards.