Sand Key Surf Guide

Surf spot guide

Ideal Surf Conditions

Swell Direction

W, NW

Wind

Onshore to generate some surf, E for clean conditions

Surf Height

Thigh-head high

Tide

Mid to high

Sand Key Surf Guide

Sand Key puts out a decent right on a typical NW windswell following a cold front. In fact this spot is pretty much the defacto post frontal spot for the northern Pineallas County region. The spot iteself is on the south side of an inlet with Clearwater Beach to the north and Bellair Beah to the south.

Ability Level

All Abilities

BegIntAdv

Any

Local Vibe

Welcoming

WelcomingIntimidating

Friendly.

Crowd Factor

Moderate

MellowHeavy

Gets crowded on post frontal NW windswell but plenty of room to spread out.

Spot Rating

Fun

PoorPerfect

This is the go to spot on post frontal NW windswells thanks to wind protection from the jetty. It will be crowded too with surfers coming from all around the Champa Bay area to escape the wind.

Shoulder Burn

Light

LightExhausting

Easy most days, can be a little more challenging on the bigger windswell days.

Water Quality

Clean

CleanDirty

Outside of occasional red tide outbreaks, water is usually clean.

Hazards

No sharks, but stingrays can be a problem here and on Clearwater Beach, so shuffle your feet.

Bring Your

Shortboard, Funboard, Longboard, Skimming

Access

Public

Bottom

Sand

Best Season

Fall-Spring, Hurricane

Do you have local knowledge about Sand Key?

If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]