Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Small waves, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach) is a sandbar-dependent beachbreak with a sandy bottom and coquina rocks that help shape the sandbars. It’s described as shifty and peaky, so setup and timing matter, but when the swell and sandbar align it can deliver longer rides than typical North Florida beach breaks for the area. Surf works best with NNE to SE swell windows (and related sources describe the break as benefiting from Northeast/East swell as well). For surf wind, West winds are repeatedly flagged as the cleanest option—one source specifically notes the cleanest conditions with light West to Northwest offshore winds. Tide matters for safety and wave quality: multiple sources emphasize using around a medium/mid tide to reduce the chance of encountering rocks. Safety considerations are significant. Coquina rocks and submerged rocks are repeatedly listed as key hazards, and longshore/rip currents are noted during higher swell. Sharks are also mentioned near Matanzas Inlet immediately north of this stretch, and jellyfish are listed as an additional hazard. Rescue availability is limited and lifeguards are seasonal/peak-season, so riders should plan accordingly. Beyond surfing, the wider spot conditions can support kitesurfing in open-ocean wind patterns, with coquina rocks requiring extra care during launch and landing. Wingfoiling is also possible at higher tides when depth over rock shelves is sufficient, though foil-friendliness is described as limited. Seasonal water temperatures run roughly from the mid-teens Celsius in winter to around 28–30°C in summer, and the best overall surfing season is commonly given as September through March (with additional improvement tied to autumn and spring).
- Coquina rocks help stabilize sandbars and shape the break.
- West winds/offshore angles are best for cleaner surf.
- Best overall season commonly given as September through March.
- Longer rides than typical nearby Florida beach breaks when sandbars are shaped by coquina rocks.
- Works with NNE–SE swells and benefits from offshore West winds for cleaner surf.
- Wide sandy beach with public access points and generally easy access.
- Sandbar-dependent and shifty/peaky; conditions can be inconsistent.
- Rocks/coquina shelves are a primary hazard and can be near the surface at mid-tide.
- Rescue is limited; lifeguards are seasonal.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WSW, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Sources conflict: one describes trade winds; another describes sea breezes with NE/E/SE directions in spring/early summer.
- Reliability
- fairly consistent
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — One source describes light gusts.
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December, January, February, March
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Dir: N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE · Afternoon sea-breeze pattern is common in spring and early summer; one source gives a 14:00–18:00 thermal window during spring months.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Small waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with sandbar formation; coquina rock shelves influence the wave shape.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Reported as small; baseline also indicates small conditions are common.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with public access points; launch described as easy.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch described as easy, but rocks/coquina shelves require caution.
Through the year
Highest during summer weekends and during significant swell events.
Hurricane season runs from June through November.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Open-ocean kitesurfing in onshore and side-onshore winds; coquina rocks require extra caution during launch and landing.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Possible at higher tides to avoid shallow rock shelves; open-ocean chop and swell can provide rolling bumps. Foil-friendliness reported as limited.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Minimum depth reported as needed over rock shelves.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters over rock shelves
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Shifty, sand-bottomed beachbreak that depends on sandbar formation, shaped by coquina rocks. Works best with NNE–SE swells and can be crowded at times. Rides can be longer when the sandbars are set up correctly.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NNE, NE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — One source specifies mid tide; another emphasizes avoiding rocks by using a medium tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Described as exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest with light West or Northwest offshore winds; one source notes West winds as the best surfing wind direction.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large hurricane swells, but holds moderate swell well.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Average wave quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Described as moderate wave power; another source characterizes it as small.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Wave shape described as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Longer than typical Florida beach breaks when sandbars are stabilized by coquina rocks; other sources describe mellow, sandbar-dependent rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–70 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rides can extend to roughly 30–70 meters when conditions/sandbars align; otherwise it can be peaky and inconsistent.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach) in the full forecast view.
Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–18 ktsGusts 34 kts
- Direction
- NNE33°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2418 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–3.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 19–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach) is forecast for daytime winds of 8–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 34 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 1.4–3.2 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- Rip currents
- Sharks
- Jellyfish
- Submerged rocks
- Coquina rock shelves
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard/water safety patrols reported as primarily seasonal/peak-season.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is limited; county marine rescue provides lifeguard services primarily during peak season.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services via 911; nearest major medical facilities reported as being in St. Augustine.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — One source indicates mild localism; another indicates none.
Rules of the spot
Follow general beach ordinances. Use caution around coquina rock shelves and submerged rocks, especially near mid-tide.
- No motorized watercraft near the shore
- Rocks/coquina shelves can sit just below the surface at mid-tide—keep an eye on them before launching or committing to rides.
- West winds are best for clean surf conditions at this spot.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Crescent Beach
- Nearest Town
- St. Augustine
- Nearest Airport
- Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
- Parking
- Public parking available at designated beach access points and street ends.
- Public Transport
- Public transportation is limited in the immediate area; a private vehicle or rental car is highly recommended.
- Access
- Vehicle beach access via the Crescent Beach Ramp; a nominal fee applies for beach driving between March and August. Also described as accessible via Highway A1A with various public beach access paths.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Vacation rentals, beachfront condos, and local hotels along A1A in Crescent Beach and nearby Anastasia Island.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and cafes along the A1A corridor within walking distance.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available at surf shops in the St. Augustine Beach/St. Augustine area; rentals also referenced for wingfoiling/surfing gear in the region.
- Gear Storage
- On-site gear storage is limited; some surf shops and rental properties may offer facilities.
- Gear Repair
- Full-service gear repair for kites and boards available through specialized shops in the St. Augustine area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The St. Augustine coast around Crescent Beach is known for outdoor recreation with easy access to historic downtown attractions and protected natural areas.
Oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the contiguous United States with cobblestone streets and historic architecture.
Historic Spanish fort; oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.
Historic Spanish fort built in 1742 to guard Matanzas Inlet and the southern approach to St. Augustine.
Over 1,600 acres of beaches, maritime forests, and tidal marshes for kayaking and hiking.
Popular oceanfront dining spot with fresh local seafood and beach views.
Family attraction featuring living crocodilian species and birds.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach)?
The best overall months at Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach) are September, October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach)?
Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach) works with W, WSW, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach) suitable for?
Lighthouse 7 (Crescent Beach) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.