Upham Beach (Long Key / Treasure Island)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Upham Beach is a sandy Gulf Coast launch with small, choppy conditions and a groin-influenced shoreline. The rock groins (T-groins) are a key feature: they can improve wave shape by trapping sand, but they also create hazards and turbulence near their structure. For wind sports, the most supported wind direction range is from anything with West in it, commonly SSW through NNW, with typical speeds around 15–25 knots. Wind reliability is described as moderate, and the best months cluster in winter and shoulder months—January through May and again October through December. Kitesurfing can be possible, but it is limited by crowding and mixed conditions, and riders must watch closely for swimmers and for navigation hazards like buoys/ships/jetskis. Surfing is the primary attraction at the spot, with reports emphasizing peeling right-hand character when the swell and wind align. Working conditions are associated with W to NW swell directions, and tide can matter: one guide favors mid to high tide, while another calls out high tide as optimal. Ride lengths vary widely by setup—from shorter runs that often end near the groins to longer stretches on cleaner NW swell. Safety is a dominant theme here. Expect hazards including rock groins, shells/oysters (booties are recommended), swimmers (plus designated swim-zone restrictions for kiting), and strong awareness of currents such as rip currents near the groins. With limited rescue availability and seasonal lifeguards, you should plan for self-rescue and keep a conservative approach around crowded times and near the groin field.
- Rock groins can enhance surf shape by trapping sand (and also create turbulence/collision hazards).
- Winter wind setups are the most consistently favored period for kitesurfing and related board sports.
- Booties are recommended due to shells/rocks.
- Clean water reported; beach access with a sandy bottom and generally easy launch in designated areas.
- Winter cold-front setups can bring strong, consistent wind direction for kite/board sports.
- Rock groins can improve surf shape by trapping sand and creating a more defined break.
- Often crowded, especially weekends.
- Physical hazards include rock groins, shells/oysters, swimmers, and water-users (ships/jetskis/buoys).
- Surf can be inconsistent; one guide notes it does not work very often and is often blown or too small.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Providers describe winter cold-front influence (Gulf kiting context) while also noting the directional pattern includes SSW–NNW.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Turbulence can occur immediately downwind of the rock groins.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with groin structures.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Small waves reported.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop reported; some descriptions emphasize chop with small waves.
- Launch
- Big — Big beach/sandy area; space can be limited depending on erosion and tide.
Through the year
Often crowded, especially weekends; can be very crowded during spring break and summer weekends.
Hurricane season runs from June through November.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is possible but limited by crowds/mixed conditions and hazards including swimmers, ships/jetskis/buoys, and shells/rocks; the T-groins can create collision risk while also offering some flatter sections between them.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Possible as bump-and-jump in stronger onshore winds, but less popular than kitesurfing.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Possible only when tide clears sandbars; foilers must be extremely cautious around rock groins. Foil-friendly conditions are limited.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendliness reported as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Upham Beach is a groin-field influenced break where the rock groins improve shape compared with typical beach breaks; surf is described as semi-sheltered/exposed depending on swell and wind setup, with tides affecting working bars.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–6 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — One guide emphasizes mid to high tide; another emphasizes high tide as optimal.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — One provider calls it semi-sheltered due to the jetty/structure influence; another describes it as exposed overall.
- Wind Effect
- NE/E winds provide cleaner/tidier conditions for surfing.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells, though groins help maintain shape; holds size in other descriptions.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality described as average by one provider.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power described as moderate by one provider.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape described in multiple provider summaries.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Peel speed described as slow (jetty-influenced point description).
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can reach long rides on clean NW swell; otherwise typical rides are shorter and end near the groins.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reports include rides up to about 100 yards on clean NW swell; typical rides are fast and short, often ending before/near the groins.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Upham Beach (Long Key / Treasure Island) in the full forecast view.
Upham Beach (Long Key / Treasure Island) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–18 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- NE42°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2518 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.6 m2s period
- Temperature
- 18–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Upham Beach (Long Key / Treasure Island) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.1–0.6 m with a period of about 2s. 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
- shells
- swimmers
- ships
- jetskis
- buoys
- wave breaker
- rip currents
- stingrays
- sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Fire/rescue nearby for emergencies; emergency number is 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Some local mildness reported; also noted as generally permissive if you avoid swimmer zones and yield properly.
Rules of the spot
Yield right of way to all beach and water users; respect designated swimming zones (no kiting in swim areas).
- No kiting in designated swim zones.
- Launch only in permitted beach areas.
- Wear booties due to shells and rocks.
- Deep water to the south requires self-rescue.
- Shuffle your feet when entering the water to avoid stingrays.
- The northernmost groins often produce the best surf shape.
- Deep water to the south requires self-rescue; light currents present.
- Respect designated swimming zones; avoid crowded swimmer areas.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Saint Pete Beach
- Nearest Town
- Saint Pete Beach
- Parking
- Paid public parking lot available directly at Upham Beach; parking also described as available at beach.
- Access
- Accessible via Gulf Blvd with public beach access paths; parking available at beach. Access approaches include Pinellas Bayway (682) or Pasadena Ave S, and from I-275 exit toward Eckerd College/Fort Desoto/St Pete Beach then west on 54th Ave S/Pinellas Bayway.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and vacation rentals along St. Pete Beach and nearby areas.
- Food & Drink
- A restaurant on the beach is mentioned; dining options available nearby along the coast.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental exists but may require a trip to nearby shops in town.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Tourism-focused beachfront area with nearby family attractions, dining, and easy access to larger attractions around St. Petersburg.
Historic fishing village turned waterfront boardwalk with a variety of shops and restaurants.
Renowned museum housing the largest collection of Dalí’s works outside of Europe.
Large county park with kayaking trails, historic forts, and natural beaches.
Popular beachfront venue known for live music and a relaxed atmosphere.
Large inflatable beach slide and recreational area for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Upham Beach (Long Key / Treasure Island)?
The best overall months at Upham Beach (Long Key / Treasure Island) are January, February, March, April, October, November, December. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Upham Beach (Long Key / Treasure Island)?
Upham Beach (Long Key / Treasure Island) works with SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Upham Beach (Long Key / Treasure Island)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Upham Beach (Long Key / Treasure Island): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Upham Beach (Long Key / Treasure Island) suitable for?
Upham Beach (Long Key / Treasure Island) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.