Overview
The Inlet (New Smyrna) sits at the north end of New Smyrna Beach, where a short jetty juts out to protect the southern side of Ponce de Leon Inlet. That jetty grooms the long stretch of beach to its south into good sandbars over a sand bottom, which spreads surfers along the beach and pulls people in from miles around. Every so often a right peels down the north side of the jetty into the estuary, running long and fast like a point wave.
When It Works
This is a consistent beach break that draws swell from the south to north (S-N) window, with southeast (SE) swell the best match. It breaks both left and right and is usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft. The standout is Shark Shallows, an outside bar that holds quality waves in most swell conditions and tends to run a couple of feet bigger than the surrounding beaches.
Wind and Tide
Look for southwest (SW) offshore wind. It can work through low, mid, and high tide, but the outside bars take the sting out of the swell at low water, so higher tides are usually better and a rising tide is the stronger call.
Local Tips
The forgiving sandbars make this a friendly spot for beginners, though the lineup gets busy when it's on, with everyone from dialed-in locals to first-time visitors sharing the water. Stay alert out there: sharks, man-o-war, and possibly polluted runout from the estuary are all part of the deal, and there's motorized traffic both in the water and on the beach.
Access
You'll find restrooms, showers, and a lifeguard on hand. There's a paid car park, but driving onto the beach is the easiest place to leave the car if you'd rather skip the long trek along the boardwalks and through the dunes from the pay lot.
