Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty)
- Freestyle, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Mixed, Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty) is a drive-on, big-beach area on the north side of the Mayport Jetty in Jacksonville, known for pairing flat-water lagoon bowls with a jetty break. For kitesurfing and winging, the focus is often on the “pond”/lagoon-type conditions that can be very friendly for learning and freestyle work when the tide keeps the water deep enough. For surfing, the jetty produces consistent right-hand peeling waves on northeast swell. Riders typically find the most favorable results when winds are not fighting the break—west/offshore wind setups are preferred, while northeasters can blow the surf out. On stronger swells, the right can hold size and peel for longer distances along the jetty/sandbar. Wind availability is described as reliable through most of the year, with sea-breeze influence in warmer months and seasonal frontal passages in cooler periods. Typical kitesurfing conditions are in the low-to-mid tens of knots, and the gust behavior is generally described as light-to-steady depending on the day. Safety is a major consideration: multiple sources highlight sharp rocks/jetty hazards and significant wildlife and water hazards in the inlet area (including sharks and jellyfish, and stingray risk at the edges/entry). Currents and rips are also emphasized near the inlet/jetty, and there is limited rescue availability. Check tide before committing to lagoon/pond sessions, respect park rules for beach driving and nesting zones, and use appropriate protective gear.
- Dual riding zones: flat-water lagoon bowls for freeride/freestyle and a jetty right for surfing
- Long peeling right waves on northeast swell
- Drive-on access and large sandy launch space for kitesurfing
- Large drive-on beach and big launch area, supporting land kiting and flexible setups
- Dual-zone riding: flat-water bowls/lagoon for kiting and wingfoiling plus a jetty break for long peeling rights
- Year-round wind and multiple wind/swell scenarios can work depending on tide
- Sharks and strong currents/rip hazards are significant concerns around the inlet/jetty area
- Northeasters are discouraged for surfing conditions
- Tide and depth strongly affect whether lagoon/pond riding is possible
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, NW, WSW
- No-go directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Sea-breeze pattern in warmer months plus seasonal system-driven winds. (Sources describe sea-breezes/thermal and also year-round reliability.)
- Reliability
- Good reliability during seasonal transitions and winter frontal passages; also described as year-round season.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Also described as steady in parts of the year; expect generally smooth conditions most days when the sea state is favorable.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December, May
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Mixed, Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Sources also describe medium wave conditions depending on setup; surfing and swell sources suggest waves can be energetic on the jetty.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Can range from glassy jetty behavior to chop; choppier conditions reduce quality in some wind directions.
- Launch
- Big — Very large sandy beach with drive-on access and space to rig/launch.
Through the year
Summer weekends tend to be the busiest for beach drivers; sport areas are generally spacious.
Hurricane season runs from June through November, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms in summer.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat-water bowls/lagoon ('The Pond') for freestyle and freeride, plus ocean-side jetty riding on strong SE/S wind with swell. Large open launch areas and drive-on beach access support land/rigging at low tide.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Suitable for both wave sailing on the ocean side and flat-water blasting/foiling in the lagoon, depending on wind and tide.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–7 m²
The lagoon is described as highly popular for winging due to the flat water; foil clearance depends on tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly in the lagoon setup (tide dependent).
- Min Depth
- 1.2 meters in the lagoon (tide dependent).
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
A jetty-side beach/pier break with long, peeling rights on northeast swell. Holds size better than many nearby breaks and can handle larger swells before closing out.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NE, NNE, ENE
- Swell Height
- 0.6–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide is often preferred for North Jetty; one surf guide lists best tide as mid.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Jetty stabilization improves wave consistency; overall exposure is still present given the Atlantic-facing nature of the break.
- Wind Effect
- Best when winds are light or have a south component; west/northwest winds are described as offshore for surf quality, while northeasters are described as blown out.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles larger swells due to the jetty’s stabilization; can handle larger swell before closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described as consistent with generally good/long-rippable wall behavior on the right.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Described as long right-wall rides on strong swells; one source also gives an approximate distance range.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rights can peel for significant distances along the jetty/sandbar; strong swells can produce a long, rippable wall.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty) in the full forecast view.
Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 10–22 ktsGusts 36 kts
- Direction
- NNE28°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2422 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.8 m7s period
- Temperature
- 18–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty) is forecast for daytime winds of 10–22 kts, peaking around 22 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 36 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.2–0.8 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- Jetty rocks
- Sharks
- Jellyfish
- Strong currents
- Rip currents
- Mole (kite hazard reference)
- Stingrays
- Vehicular traffic
- Occasional fishing lines near the jetty
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards described as seasonal in at least one source.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited; regional emergency services include Jacksonville Fire and Rescue and the United States Coast Guard (nearby Mayport Naval Station).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest emergency services are in Jacksonville; call 911. Rescue availability is described as limited, with nearby professional services and Coast Guard presence in the region.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local guidance suggests staying respectful and following area rules; one source characterizes localism as mild, while another describes it as none.
Rules of the spot
Follow designated driving zones on the beach and avoid protected bird nesting areas. Observe park operating times (park closes at sunset per one source). For surfing, avoid northeasters.
- No-entry zones for bird nesting
- No kiting in swimming-only zones
- Park closes at sunset
- The flat-water 'pond' setup needs sufficient tide depth to be rideable.
- Shuffle your feet when entering the water to reduce stingray risk.
- Watch tide for the lagoon/pond; it can get very shallow at low tide.
- If swell is small and tide is uncertain, check with a local before driving.
- Shuffle your feet when entering the water to avoid stingrays.
- Work best on low to incoming tide for outer areas; North Jetty riding is often associated with higher tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Jacksonville
- Nearest Town
- Mayport
- Nearest Airport
- Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) (~25 miles / 40 km)
- Parking
- Park fee described as $0.50–$3.00 per car (varies by source). Parking is available directly on the sand in designated areas; beach driving permitted for surfers to park next to the water.
- Public Transport
- Public transportation is limited in the coastal zones; a private vehicle is highly recommended.
- Access
- Enter off A1A North (Heckscher Drive) just before Fort George Island/Mayport; park on the beach. Drive-on beach access with designated areas.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is available inside the park; hotels are a short drive away in Mayport or Jacksonville Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Few options inside the park; restaurants located outside on Heckscher Drive.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available directly at the beach; shops in Jacksonville provide rental gear.
- Gear Storage
- Limited dedicated storage at some local schools; most riders store in personal vehicles or nearby vacation rentals.
- Gear Repair
- Professional kite and sail repair services are available through specialty shops in the greater Jacksonville area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Jacksonville waterfront blends maritime history and natural preserve scenery around the St. Johns River mouth. Visiting riders typically time sessions around tide and current behavior.
Barrier island with undeveloped beaches and maritime forests.
Historical site commemorating the 16th-century French colonial presence in Florida.
Scenic ferry crossing connecting Mayport Village and Fort George Island.
Seafood market/eatery overlooking the Mayport basins.
Popular destination featuring over 2,000 animals and extensive botanical gardens.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty)?
The best overall months at Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty) are January, February, March, April, November, December. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December, May.
Which wind directions work at Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty)?
Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty) works with NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, NW, WSW. No-go directions are NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty) suitable for?
Huguenot Memorial Park (North Jetty) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.