Haulover

KitesurfingWindsurfingWingfoilingSurfing
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardKitesurfing freerideWindsurfing freerideWingfoil freeride
What's great
  • 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
Heads up
  • 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
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
23–30 °C
Water Temperature
16–32 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Dec–Mar: 2mm shorty or 3/2mm full suit (during cold fronts)
Crowds by Season

Peak crowds during weekends and summer months; winter mornings are busy with surfers.

Storm/Rain Season

Hurricane season runs from June to November, often bringing significant swell.

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingSkill Level

A designated kiteboarding area at the northern end of Haulover Park is used for freeriding and small-wave sessions.

FreerideWaveFoil
Kite Sizes
9–14 m²
WindsurfingSkill Level

Suitable for windsurfing, especially on cross-onshore days; straightforward beach launch but riders must avoid the inlet.

FreerideWaveFoil
Sail Sizes
5–7.5 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

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
SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed beach/pier/jetty break with inconsistent surf; jetty-assisted sandbars can improve wave consistency, especially on normal days.

Beach break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
Impact vestLeashWetsuit

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.

Restrictions
  • No kiting in swimming areas.
  • Stay clear of the inlet mouth.
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Showers
Toilets
Parking
Restaurant
Picnic area
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.