Reef Road
Reef Road is a Florida anomaly—one of the only true reef breaks in a state dominated by beach breaks. When solid northeast swells hit Palm Beach County, Reef Road's limestone ledges create hollow, barreling right-handers that feel more Caribbean than Florida. The wave needs significant swell to break properly, making it an event surf spot rather than a daily driver. When it's on, the local crew descends quickly, and visitors should bring booties for the shallow reef. For Florida surfers seeking tube time without leaving the state, Reef Road delivers rare barrels.
Reef Road surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to PBI, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when East Coast USA is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in East Coast USA — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Reef Road trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ENE (70°)
- Direction range
- 45° - 110°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (280°)
- Offshore range
- 250° - 320°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.5m
- Danger below
- 0.3m
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
6/10
Access: Street parking. Residential area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Reef Road?
Reef Road is a reef break in Palm Beach, USA, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Reef Road?
Reef Road picks up swell from the NE round to the ESE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the ENE. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.9 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Reef Road?
A W wind is dead offshore at Reef Road, and anything from the WSW round to the NW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Reef Road?
Reef Road is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.5m to 1.5m on the local chart. Below 0.3m it gets dangerously shallow.
When is the best time of year to surf Reef Road?
The most reliable run of swell at Reef Road comes Oct to Mar. There's a second window in Sep too. Needs significant NE swell to break properly.
How cold is the water at Reef Road?
The water at Reef Road averages around 25°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Reef Road good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. Expect a moderate crowd (6/10) when it's on. Shallow limestone reef. Booties recommended.
How do I get to Reef Road?
The nearest airport on our list is PBI, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive. Street parking. Residential area.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Sep
Needs significant NE swell to break properly.