Palm Beach / Florida (Southern) / United States

When most Americans hear Palm Beach being mentioned, we think of the world of exorbitant living – full of sunbathing, pedicures, famous golf tournaments and ridiculously priced clothes. And, in all reality, that is not far from the truth. What many forget to realize is that Palm Beach – the actual beach – is a major surfing arena. Here, surfers of all types become cutthroat; ready to battle and strut their stuff in one of the most consistent breaks in Southern Florida.

This white sandy beach rings in at only a mile long. Warm conditions allow surfers to visit here all year round, but the summer (June to August) tends to be flatter than in the fall (September to October) and winter (November to February). The sand bars shift considerably here, which add to the consistency of the break throughout these seasons.

It’s exposed, and so it can take on any swell or groundswell. The best swell angle, however, is from the northeast. Also works a little better on mid tide. Average waves are usually waist to head high.

The name of the game here is to look around. If you’re not paying attention, you could be paying too much money at the local gourmet restaurants or upscale hotels. There are options out there that fit your budget. The competition of the waves can be seen at the many surf shops; selling everything from lessons, gear, and clothing. Night life is stellar at Palm Beach; head to Clematis Street to see what I mean.

This place gets crowded with surfers who are just as feisty as you are. Watch out for collisions.