Picnic Tables is a peaky beach break along Patrick Air Force Base, one of a cluster of waves that also includes First and Second Light and Hangers. The bottom is mostly sand with the occasional rock, and this stretch marks the first signs of coquina, the reef-like sedimentary rock that runs south toward Indialantic. It is an average spot on this part of the coast, and most surfers gravitate to the busier breaks nearby, but with a bit of swell running it turns fun and rippable.
When It Works
The break draws swell from north-northeast through east-southeast (NNE-ESE) and picks up both rights and lefts. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, so it needs at least a little size before the peaks start to show. Give it some swell and the wave gets peaky and playful. The prime windows fall across autumn, winter, and spring.
Wind and Tide
Look for west (W) offshore wind to clean things up, with a workable wind window running from south-southwest through west to north-northwest (SSW-W-NNW). It surfs best through low to mid tide, with a rising tide generally the better call, though high tide is sometimes okay too.
Local Tips
This is an approachable wave that suits everyone from beginners to experts, and it takes just about any board, whether that is a shortboard, funboard, longboard, fish, bodyboard, skimboard, or even bodysurfing. There is plenty of room to spread out and the lineup stays fairly quiet, though a good peak can still pull a crowd. The vibe can feel a little reserved and there is a military influence here, so keep it polite.
Access
Getting in is easy, just off A1A. Driving south from Cocoa Beach, Picnic Tables is the first dirt parking lot on the left. Watch for submerged rocks, and take care getting in and out where the coquina shelves make entry and exit potentially hazardous.
