Overview
Venice Jetties South is ground zero for the Gulf Coast surf scene, a beachbreak where hard-packed sandbars meet rock jetties to throw up wedgey, punchy peaks. The South Jetties are a northwest swell magnet, and while they don't hold as much size as the North Jetties on tropical southwest swells, the waves here tend to run steeper, faster, and hollower during the more frequent wintertime lows. A-frames show up when everything lines up, and it's about as consistent as surf gets in West Florida.
When It Works
The break draws swell from south-southwest through west to northwest, and it comes alive on northwest swell in particular. It's usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.1 m / 7 ft, small enough for airs at the low end and big enough to tube when it fills in. The season runs through autumn and winter. It's a decent, playful wave for the Gulf that rewards quick small-wave surfing and holds up when the swell gets serious.
Wind and Tide
Look for east-northeast offshore wind, with a workable wind window stretching from north-northeast to east-southeast (NNE-ESE). It breaks through low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call. Expect tubes up high and faster runners down low as the jetty does its work.
Local Tips
This is a versatile setup that suits everything from shortboards and fish to funboards, longboards, and even skimboards, and it's best enjoyed by intermediate and expert surfers. Expect a busy lineup when it's on, though the atmosphere tends to stay friendly.
Access
There's free parking at the spot.
