Venice North and South Jetty
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Venice North and South Jetty is a Gulf of Mexico beach/jetty surfing spot that breaks on sandy shoreline and inlet structure. Surf performance is highly dependent on the right swell direction and wind setup, and the conditions are described as only working intermittently—while still being a recognizable destination when the pattern aligns. Wind-wise, the spot’s grooming can be favorable when winds blow from the east and northeast, creating more offshore-like conditions for the waves. Reported winds are generally low to moderate (about 10–20 knots) and wind reliability is noted as low overall, so day-to-day checks matter. The rock jetties also influence how side-shore winds behave, sometimes providing slight shelter depending on angle. On the water, the dominant hazards are rocks and sharks, with additional risk from strong tidal currents inside the inlet and potential rip currents along the jetties. Local guidance emphasizes staying clear of the active boat channel and watching outgoing tide strength, since it can pull surfers toward the rocks. The area is also known for shark presence, and caution is especially important when working close to the jetty structure. For waves, the break is described as beach/jetty with peeling, punchy sections, usually producing short rides that vary with sandbar configuration. The most commonly cited “best” season window is winter—especially with suitable cold-front or winter swell patterns—and January is singled out as a top month in spot-level guidance.
- Jetty-aided grooming can improve wave shape when wind direction is right.
- Winter is a key season for surfable conditions.
- Rocks and sharks are the primary hazards; strong inlet currents add risk.
- Jetty structures help shape and groom the waves at times.
- Convenient access with parking and basic amenities near both sides of the inlet.
- Surfing can be relatively consistent during the best seasonal window.
- Only certain swell/wind combinations make it work reliably.
- Strong inlet currents and rip risk near the jetties.
- Rocks and boat traffic around the inlet add risk.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, W, SW
- Offshore directions
- N, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind type reported as frontal, with offshore grooming depending on direction.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- The jetties can provide slight shelter from side-shore winds depending on the angle.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach around the jetty access points.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Spot-level ranges indicate roughly 0.5–1.5 meters in favorable conditions; another dataset describes 2–4 ft short-period swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach launch available on both the north and south sides of the jetties.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Highest during winter swells and weekends.
June to November (hurricane risk).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Jetty-aided Gulf break with groomed sections when winds blow offshore; rides are typically short and punchy, often depending on sandbar configuration.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SSE, SSW, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.15–1.22 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Rock jetties and the inlet structures help groom and shape the surf compared with an open beach setup.
- Wind Effect
- East and Northeast winds provide offshore grooming.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells but often holds better than open beach breaks due to the jetties.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically offer short, punchy rides that section off depending on sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Venice North and South Jetty in the full forecast view.
Venice North and South Jetty wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–18 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- NE42°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2518 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.9 m3s period
- Temperature
- 17–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Venice North and South Jetty is forecast for daytime winds of 8–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.1–0.9 m with a period of about 3s. 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
- Sharks
- Strong currents
- Boat traffic
- Potential for rip currents along the jetties
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Venice Regional Bayfront Health is the nearest hospital.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Stay clear of the active boat channel inside the inlet.
- Do not enter the active boat channel inside the inlet.
- The South Jetty is generally the place to be when a West or Northwest swell hits.
- Be mindful of the strong outgoing tide which can pull you toward the rocks.
- Watch for rocks and the crowd.
- Venice is known as the shark tooth capital of the world, and sharks are present.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Sarasota
- Nearest Town
- Venice
- Nearest Airport
- Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) (~30 miles)
- Parking
- Large public parking lots available at both North Jetty Park and the Venice beach side
- Public Transport
- Public transit is limited to the SCAT bus system, so a rental car is generally the most practical option for transporting gear.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous vacation rentals and hotels are located in Venice and Nokomis.
- Food & Drink
- Concession stands and restaurants are located at or very near the jetty parks.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard rentals are available at local surf shops in Venice (surf gear).
- Gear Storage
- On-site gear storage is generally unavailable at public access points; most riders store equipment at nearby accommodations or in their vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repairs are available via local surf shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Venice combines historic charm with Gulf Coast adventure and tends to be most favorable for visitors in late autumn through spring.
A 700-foot pier with sunset views and fishing opportunities without a license requirement.
Northern Italian architecture with boutique shopping and local dining.
Beachcombing for fossilized prehistoric shark teeth—Venice is known for shark tooth finds.
Popular beachfront dining spot known for fresh seafood and a lively tropical atmosphere.
Wide sandy beach with amenities such as pavilions, volleyball courts, and picnic areas.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Venice North and South Jetty?
The best overall months at Venice North and South Jetty are January, February, March, April, November, December. The best wind months are November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Venice North and South Jetty?
Venice North and South Jetty works with NW, W, SW winds. Offshore directions are N, NE.
What skill level is Venice North and South Jetty suitable for?
Venice North and South Jetty suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.