Haulover
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Haulover is a widely known, exposed beach/pier/jetty break on the Atlantic side of South Florida. Surf is described as inconsistent with no strong seasonal pattern overall, but jetty-associated sandbars can produce workable waves—particularly at the jetties and near the pier—helping make it a good choice for beginner surfing on normal days. The local break is strongly influenced by the inlet area. Low tide is the preferred timing for surfing, and conditions can change quickly because of sandbar movement and tides. For surf quality, northeast pulses are specifically noted as a scenario where Haulover can deliver its most consistent clean waves, though on larger swells the wave can turn heavy and disorganized. For wind sports, the beach also supports a designated kiteboarding area at the northern end of Haulover Park, while wind patterns generally follow trade/pressure-driven conditions. Typical wind is reported in the low-to-mid teens up to the mid-20s (knots), and an afternoon sea-breeze/thermal pattern is common in spring into early summer (most active March–June). Safety is a key consideration: hazards reported include rocks, sharks, coral, and pollution, plus strong currents near the inlet, jetties, and boat traffic. Kite and board riders should respect designated zones and stay well away from the inlet channel/mouth; it is also advised to avoid the inlet during outgoing tides due to potentially extremely dangerous current.
- Exposed, jetty-influenced beach/pier/jetty break
- Low tide is favored for surfing
- Designated kiteboarding area at the northern end of Haulover Park
- Afternoon sea-breeze/thermal often strengthens in March through June
- Jetty/sandbar effects can improve waves for surfers, especially for beginner-friendly sessions on normal days
- Designated areas support multiple wind sports including kitesurfing and wingfoiling
- Trade-wind and seasonal patterns can provide usable wind during much of the cooler half of the year
- Exposed conditions with inconsistent surf
- Strong tidal currents near the inlet creating dangerous rips
- Heavy boat traffic around the channel
- Water/zone hazards reported including rocks, coral, sharks, and pollution
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, E, SE
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind pattern with seasonal frontal influence; moderate reliability overall.
- Reliability
- Moderate, heavily dependent on seasonal weather fronts and pressure gradients.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March, April
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Fine sand beach environment.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surf can be small and frequently flat; overall surf is described as inconsistent.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with designated zones for specific activities.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Peak crowds during weekends and summer months; winter mornings are busy with surfers.
Hurricane season runs from June to November, often bringing significant swell.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A designated kiteboarding area at the northern end of Haulover Park is used for freeriding and small-wave sessions.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Suitable for windsurfing, especially on cross-onshore days; straightforward beach launch but riders must avoid the inlet.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7.5 m²
Foilers commonly use the designated kite area; depth is generally sufficient once past the shorebreak, though sandbars can shift.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Minimum depth is reported around 1.5 meters once clear of the shorebreak.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach/pier/jetty break with inconsistent surf; jetty-assisted sandbars can improve wave consistency, especially on normal days.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NE, ENE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is favored for surfing.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed open-coast environment; jetty influence helps maintain some shape on moderate northeast pulses.
- Wind Effect
- West or northwest winds provide cleaner offshore conditions for surfing.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and disorganized on massive swells, though the jetty helps maintain shape on moderate northeast pulses.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast, punchy rides; often end in closeout on the inner sandbar.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rides are typically fast and punchy, often ending in a closeout on the inner sandbar.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Haulover in the full forecast view.
Haulover wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–16 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- NE35°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2616 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–3.0 m9s period
- Temperature
- 21–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Haulover is forecast for daytime winds of 6–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.0–3.0 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
- rocks
- sharks
- pollution
- coral
- strong currents
- jetties
- boat traffic
- jellyfish
- man-o-war
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Year-round — Lifeguards are on duty at Haulover Park.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguards are on duty at Haulover Park. Nearest hospital is in Aventura.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Respect designated zones for kiteboarding; stay well clear of the inlet channel/mouth and the swimming areas.
- No kiting in swimming areas.
- Stay clear of the inlet mouth.
- Avoid the inlet during outgoing tides as the current can be extremely dangerous.
- Watch for Portuguese Man-o-War during winter months with onshore winds.
- Good sandbar spots are reported at the jetties and near the pier; they can help on normal days for beginner surfing.
- Be aware of seasonal clothing-optional zone boundaries on the northern section of the beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bal Harbour Village
- Nearest Town
- Fort Lauderdale
- Parking
- Large paid parking lots are available within the park.
- Access
- Public access through Haulover Park via Collins Avenue.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Luxury hotels in Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles Beach, along with vacation rentals.
- Food & Drink
- Food trucks and small concessions within the park; many restaurants in nearby Bal Harbour.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at nearby shops in Sunny Isles and Miami Beach.
- Gear Storage
- Not typically available on-site.
- Gear Repair
- Available at specialty shops in the Miami area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Haulover?
The best overall months at Haulover are January, February, March, April, May, November, December. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Haulover?
Haulover works with N, NE, E, SE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Haulover?
Recommended equipment sizes at Haulover: Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Haulover suitable for?
Haulover suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.