Shell Island Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
SE, S, SW
Wind
NNW, N, NE
Surf Height
Waist-overhead
Tide
Light incoming, slack or light outgoing
Shell Island Surf Guide
Shell Island is a gorgeous, deserted state preserve. The break at Shell Island is on the east side of the east jetty, on the other side of the rocks from Amazons. This is a seriously powerful, wedging peak. There is a left that breaks toward the jetty and a right that breaks away from it. It's a steep, hollow, A-frame type of wave. It's best in the winter and spring, when cold fronts have passed through and the swell is still up. Because it's next to a pass, the tides can have a strong effect on the quality of the wave.
Ability Level
Intermediate - Advanced
Better than average to expert.
Local Vibe
Doable
Average to heavy.
Crowd Factor
Mellow
None to speak of.
Spot Rating
Fun
Can get fun here with a little reflection wedge off the jetty on smaller days. Challenging wave when bigger and not for beginning level surfers.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Spot breaks close to the beach, but if you do not hitch a ride on a boat, be prepared for a solid paddle across the channel.
Water Quality
Clean
This is the emerald coast, so named due to the water color.
Hazards
Normal sea life - sharks, jellyfish, sea lice.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Fish
Access
Take a boat and launch at St. Andrews boat ramp.
Bottom
Sand with jetty
Best Season
Fall-Spring, Hurricane
Do you have local knowledge about Shell Island?
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