Ormond Beach Pier
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ormond Beach Pier is an exposed beach/pier break on Florida’s Atlantic coast that’s described as having quite reliable surf and being able to work year-round. The break is influenced by the former pier structure and sandbars, producing both left and right waves on many sessions, with a strong summer peak—especially July. For surf planning, low tide is repeatedly identified as the best time, and northeast swell is commonly cited as the most favorable direction for building rideable waves. Wave shapes are described as peeling, with moderate overall wave power. While one source characterizes the wave quality as good, another notes average-to-good conditions depending on how the sandbars and swell line up. Wind plays an important role in surf quality here. Southwest winds are described as offshore and beneficial for cleaner faces, while northeast winds can create choppy, messier surf. In July, reported wind-pattern statistics include a relatively higher share of “small” conditions compared with clean ones, with a noted blown-out percentage—so choosing the day and swell combination matters. Safety is a key concern at this spot: rip currents are present, and the nearshore includes submerged pier remnants (including pilings), plus fishing lines and other man-made hazards. Crowds can be significant, especially weekends and summer, and local usage is noted—so follow etiquette and keep an extra lookout for swimmers and restricted zones during lifeguard hours.
- Exposed but reliable sandbar-driven beach/pier break.
- Best surf often occurs at low tide with northeast-favorable swell.
- Southwest offshore winds can help groom conditions.
- Common hazards include rip currents and submerged pier remnants.
- Fairly consistent, rideable beach/pier break with both left and right waves.
- Works year-round, with peak conditions in summer (especially July).
- Warm water in summer and typical offshore southwest wind alignment for surf face grooming.
- Exposed conditions and frequent rip currents can make the water hazardous.
- Submerged pier remnants/pilings and fishing lines near the approach increase risk.
- Crowds are often heavy, especially on weekends and summer months.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon sea-breeze pattern reported for the area; best conditions for surfing align with offshore southwest winds.
- Reliability
- 26% blown out, 25% clean, 49% small in July (reported as monthly distribution).
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady winds referenced; one provider also reported summer monthly breakdown as 26% blown-out, 25% clean, 49% small.
- Best Months
- July
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand-covered bottom.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Providers describe small-to-medium surf depending on swell and season.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Northeast winds can create choppy surf; otherwise conditions described as groomed with offshore southwest winds.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy access with multiple approach points (regional provider note).
Through the year
Summer months and weekends are busiest; often crowded especially on weekends.
June through November (hurricane season), with peak activity in September (regional baseline and provider note).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is possible along the wider beach stretches; many riders prefer areas further from main crowds and pier remnants. Conditions are described as best for wave riding and freeride on side-onshore days.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Open-ocean rolling swell supports winging; beach-break launching can be challenging for a foil. Sufficient depth is reached quickly after passing the shore break.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendly is described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach/pier break with fairly consistent surf and both left and right waves. Works year-round, with peak summer conditions (notably July). Best at low tide when the sandbars/rising waves present stronger takeoffs.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, NE, SE
- Swell Height
- 0.6–1.8 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide preferred (one source also notes it can work best at low tide when rising).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach/pier environment; no shelter noted.
- Wind Effect
- Best with southwest offshore winds; west/southwest tends to groom the face. Northeast winds are described as creating messy, choppy surf.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds about 2 meters, but may hold up better on longer-period groundswell for longer rides under prevailing lighter/offshore/cross-offshore conditions.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Providers describe either good or average wave quality; synthesis favors the more positive 'good' while noting variability.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported; another source also describes fairly consistent, rideable surf.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape reported.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed reported as medium by one provider.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short beach-break peaks; longer rides possible on a solid swell via sandbars.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reported to break for up to about 100 meters; another provider gives a typical ride range of 30–70 meters and notes longer rides can occur on solid long-period swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ormond Beach Pier in the full forecast view.
Ormond Beach Pier wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–22 ktsGusts 34 kts
- Direction
- NE37°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2522 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.5–3.3 m8s period
- Temperature
- 21–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ormond Beach Pier is forecast for daytime winds of 9–22 kts, peaking around 22 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 34 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.5–3.3 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
- rip currents present
- submerged objects
- buoys
- man-made dangers
- submerged pier pilings and remnants
- fishing lines
- crowds
- sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- 911. Nearest hospital mentioned: AdventHealth Oceanside in Ormond Beach (spot-level provider note).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism described as mild; also explicitly notes be aware of locals.
Rules of the spot
Be aware of locals and follow standard surfing etiquette. One source notes surfing restrictions near designated swimming zones during peak lifeguard hours.
- No surfing within 100 feet of fishing piers or remnants when swimmers are present (per provider restriction note).
- Seasonal dog restrictions apply to certain beach sections.
- Watch for submerged objects/wood and metal remnants from the old pier structure.
- Be aware of rip currents and local usage near the pier remnants.
- Best sandbanks may form just north or south of the beach access near Granada Boulevard approach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ormond Beach, Florida (just north of Daytona Beach)
- Nearest Town
- Ormond Beach
- Nearest Airport
- Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) (~10–15 miles) (regional baseline).
- Parking
- Public parking lots available at Birthplace of Speed Park and along the beachfront at Granada Boulevard (per provider note).
- Public Transport
- Votran bus service serves the Ormond and Daytona coastal areas (regional baseline).
- Access
- Located right off A1A at 1631 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL 32176. Public access also described via the Granada Boulevard beach approach.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and beach rentals across Ormond and Daytona along A1A.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple restaurants and cafes are within walking distance along Granada Boulevard.
- Equipment Rental:
- Local surf shops along the coast provide surfboard and paddleboard rentals; regional baseline also indicates multiple surf and kite shops offer daily rentals of boards and gear.
- Gear Storage
- Limited storage; private rentals or specific shops offering locker services.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops provide board repair services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Art museum featuring rotating exhibits and lush botanical gardens.
Historic winter home of John D. Rockefeller, now a cultural center.
Popular for canoeing, kayaking, and hiking along the Tomoka River.
Beachfront casual dining known for breakfast and local atmosphere.
A 4-acre park with a playground, splash pad, and picnic pavilions.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ormond Beach Pier?
The best overall months at Ormond Beach Pier are July.
Which wind directions work at Ormond Beach Pier?
Ormond Beach Pier works with SW winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Ormond Beach Pier?
Recommended equipment sizes at Ormond Beach Pier: Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 5–15 kts.
What skill level is Ormond Beach Pier suitable for?
Ormond Beach Pier suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.