Sunglow Pier
- Shortboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Sunglow Pier is an exposed pier-and-beach surf break in Daytona Beach Shores that breaks over a sand bottom and is generally described as offering consistent surf. The pier setup shapes nearby sandbars, which can create multiple peaks and better wave form than an open beach setup. For wave direction, the most favorable swells are generally from the Northeast/East/Southeast, while winds from the West and Southwest are described as the cleanest or most offshore for grooming. Southwest wind conditions are specifically noted as the best wind direction for clearer surf. The spot is geared toward learning: surfing here is reported as suitable for beginners, with wave energy described as moderate and often peeling. Rides are typically short, and the wave form/length can vary depending on sandbar configuration. Safety is important at this pier: reported hazards include rocks, pier pilings, fishing lines and hooks, rip currents, and large-water risks. Surfing is restricted near the pier for safety, including a clear restriction against surfing directly under the pier, and local guidance is to watch for anglers casting near surfers. Rescue coverage is described as limited and lifeguards as seasonal; for emergencies, call 911.
- Consistent pier break that can work year-round
- Offshore-clean conditions often arrive with West/Southwest winds
- Beginner-friendly peeling waves, but pier-related hazards and rip currents require caution
- Consistent surf that can work at any time of the year
- Sand-bottom pier break with multiple peaks
- Well-developed beach access and visitor amenities in the Daytona Beach Shores area
- Pier and underwater hazards include rocks, pier pilings, fishing lines, and submerged debris
- Rip currents can form alongside the pier pilings
- Water safety rules restrict surfing near/under the pier—check signage
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW
- Offshore directions
- SW, W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon sea breezes are common in spring and summer; offshore SW grooming can develop with inland heating.
- Reliability
- Reliable for offshore grooming during winter cold fronts.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gusts reported.
- Best Months
- July
- Shadow Zones
- Directly downwind of the pier structure there is a small zone of turbulent air.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — General surf size is described as small to medium depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Spacious sandy beach surrounding the pier structure.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy launch reported.
Through the year
High crowds during summer weekends and school holidays; quieter during winter weekdays.
Hurricane season runs from June through November, which can bring significant swell.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Sunglow Pier is a pier-influenced beach/pier break with consistent surf that can work year-round, breaking over a sand bottom.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NE, E, SSE
- Swell Height
- 0.6–1.8 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — The pier helps shape sandbars and provides some protection vs an open beach setup.
- Wind Effect
- West and Southwest winds provide clean, offshore conditions; southwest winds produce the cleanest conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on the outer bars during very large hurricane swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Rides typically last 20 to 50 meters depending on sandbar configuration.
- Typical Ride Length
- 35 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rides typically last 20 to 50 meters depending on sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Sunglow Pier in the full forecast view.
Sunglow Pier wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–20 ktsGusts 32 kts
- Direction
- NE37°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2520 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–3.3 m8s period
- Temperature
- 21–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Sunglow Pier is forecast for daytime winds of 8–20 kts, peaking around 20 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 32 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.4–3.3 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
- Rocks
- Pier pilings
- Fishing lines and hooks
- Rip currents
- Crowds in the water
- Sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited.
- Emergency Info
- Volusia County Beach Safety maintains patrols and can be reached via emergency services; for emergencies call 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism noted.
Rules of the spot
Surfing is restricted within a certain distance of the pier for safety; check local signage for exact zone boundaries.
- No surfing directly under the pier
- Designated swimming zones nearby
- Watch out for fisherman on the pier who may accidentally or intentionally cast near surfers.
- The north side of the pier often holds a better shape on a Northeast swell.
- Rides can vary with sandbar configuration; be prepared for changing peaks near the pier.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Daytona Beach
- Nearest Town
- Daytona Beach Shores
- Nearest Airport
- Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB)
- Parking
- Paid parking lot at the pier and street parking available nearby.
- Public Transport
- Served by Volusia County transit (Votran/V-Line)
- Access
- 3701 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach FL
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and beachfront condos line the shore in Daytona Beach Shores.
- Food & Drink
- Crabby Joe's Deck & Grill is located directly on the pier.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard and paddleboard rentals are available at several shops along Atlantic Avenue.
- Gear Storage
- Specific public gear storage is described as limited, but many beachfront hotels and local surf shops provide storage for guests or rental clients.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops in the Daytona area can provide board repair services.
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 Sunglow Pier?
The best overall months at Sunglow Pier are June, July, August. The best wind months are July.
Which wind directions work at Sunglow Pier?
Sunglow Pier works with SW winds. Offshore directions are SW, W.
What skill level is Sunglow Pier suitable for?
Sunglow Pier suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.