Vilano Beach (Middles 1)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Swell
- Spot Type
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Middles at Vilano Beach is an exposed jetty-wedge / breakwater-style beach break that can produce powerful surf with fast, hollow sections over sand bottom. Multiple guides emphasize how consistently waves show up through the year, with the character of the break defined heavily by the steep nearshore profile. Because the shoreline is steep, the shore break can be very heavy and is a primary hazard. Strong longshore current activity and occasional rip currents are especially relevant when swells build. There are also reports of rocks/coquina formations and shifting sandbars, which can change the impact zone near the beach. Wind tends to matter a lot for wave quality. Ideal winds are described as coming from the southwest, and offshore west/southwest flow is noted to groom wave faces. By contrast, easterly winds are associated with significant chop, and in some seasonal windows conditions are more likely to be blown out rather than clean and rideable. For timing, at least one guide lists low tide as best, while another notes the break can work any time of year. When swell exceeds roughly 2 meters, the spot can become especially difficult to paddle out and the overall experience can shift toward heavy, high-energy surf with shorter, punchier rides that frequently end in the heavy shore break.
- Exposed jetty-wedge beach break with powerful, hollow wave potential
- Steep profile leads to a heavy shore break
- West/southwest winds tend to groom faces; easterlies can add chop
- Exposed setup with consistent surf activity and powerful wave potential
- Offshore west/southwest winds can groom wave faces
- Good accessibility with public parking and beach access infrastructure
- Very heavy shore break and steep beach profile
- Rip currents and strong longshore currents, especially on larger swells
- Some conditions can be blown out or choppy depending on wind angle and tide
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW
- Offshore directions
- SW, W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal systems in autumn and winter (regional pattern), with best session windows often influenced by the west/southwest flow and nearby systems.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Breaks over a sand bottom.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Can be small or medium depending on swell; larger swells can become very heavy and difficult to paddle out.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Chop can be significant in onshore/easterly wind directions.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach area suitable for launching in lower tides.
Through the year
High during summer weekends; moderate during the prime surf season.
June through November (Atlantic hurricane season).
By sport
What to expect for each.
An advanced kiters' spot due to the heavy shore break and steep beach profile; best described as suitable only for experienced riders, with preference for side-shore or side-offshore wind angles.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Difficult because of shallow water near shore and the intensity of the shore break, which makes foil launching challenging.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly is reported as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
An exposed beach-break setup with very steep, heavy shore break and fast, hollow waves over shifting sandbars. Offshore west/southwest winds tend to groom the faces; easterly winds can add chop.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is reported as optimal in at least one guide; a separate guide notes sessions can work around the year and lists low tide as best.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Jetty/jetty-wedge and open-coast character make it feel exposed to swell and wind.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the west or southwest can groom wave faces, while easterly winds create significant chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become very heavy and difficult to paddle out when swells exceed 2 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Often produces fast, hollow sections over shifting sandbars.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast, punchy rides that often end in a heavy shore break.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–60 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, punchy rides that often end in a heavy shore break.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Vilano Beach (Middles 1) in the full forecast view.
Vilano Beach (Middles 1) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 11–23 ktsGusts 34 kts
- Direction
- NNE32°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2523 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.8–3.5 m8s period
- Temperature
- 19–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Vilano Beach (Middles 1) is forecast for daytime winds of 11–23 kts, peaking around 23 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 34 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 1.8–3.5 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
- heavy shore break
- rip currents
- submerged rocks
- sharks
- scattered coquina rock formations
- shifting sandbars
- strong longshore currents
- occasional rip currents especially during larger swells
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is reported as limited for the beach; ocean rescue and roaming patrols operate seasonally.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest emergency services are located in downtown Saint Augustine.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; yield to riders already on the wave.
- The beach profile is very steep, causing waves to break with significant force right on the sand.
- Parking can fill up quickly on weekends.
- Avoid relying on a single tide window—currents and wave impact can change notably near the shore break and during larger swells.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Saint Augustine
- Nearest Town
- Vilano Beach
- Nearest Airport
- Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
- Parking
- Large public parking lot available at the Vilano Beach Pavilion.
- Public Transport
- Public transportation is limited; a car is highly recommended.
- Access
- Public access via Vilano Beach oceanfront park.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and vacation rentals are available within walking distance in Vilano Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and a grocery store are located near the pier and beach access.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in nearby Saint Augustine provide rentals.
- Gear Storage
- Dedicated gear storage facilities are rare; some local surf shops may offer short-term options or lockers.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repair services are available through local surf shops in the St. Augustine area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Popular for fishing and watching sunsets over the Tolomato River.
Oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, in historic downtown St. Augustine.
Historic district with cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and many museums.
Kayaking and boat tours exploring local estuarine reserve and wildlife.
Iconic waterfront restaurant known for sunset views and seafood.
Historic attraction featuring crocodilian species and other animals.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Vilano Beach (Middles 1)?
The best overall months at Vilano Beach (Middles 1) are October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Vilano Beach (Middles 1)?
Vilano Beach (Middles 1) works with W, SW winds. Offshore directions are SW, W.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Vilano Beach (Middles 1)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Vilano Beach (Middles 1): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Vilano Beach (Middles 1) suitable for?
Vilano Beach (Middles 1) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Intermediate.