Indian Rocks Beach Surf Spot & Cam
Indian Rocks Beach, Florida · Gulf Coast
Indian Rocks Beach is a classic, shifty Pinellas beach break that suits beginner-intermediate surfers and is a local favorite on the days it fires. It only breaks on a good W/SW wind blow, a cold front, or a tropical system, working best with light E/NE offshore wind and a mid tide, and it is dead flat otherwise.
| Day | Surf | Wind | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 7/24 | knee to waist (2.0 ft) | 10 mph WNW | Marginal |
| Sat 7/25 | ankle to knee (1.0 ft) | 12 mph WNW | Poor |
| Sun 7/26 | ankle to knee (1.8 ft) | 16 mph WNW | Poor |
| Mon 7/27 | knee to waist (2.7 ft) | 17 mph WNW | Marginal |
| Tue 7/28 | knee to waist (2.1 ft) | 15 mph WSW | Marginal |
| Wed 7/29 | knee to waist (2.8 ft) | 16 mph WSW | Marginal |
| Thu 7/30 | knee to waist (2.8 ft) | 20 mph WSW | Marginal |
Days 8 to 15 are a lower confidence outlook. Data by Open-Meteo.com, refreshed every 2 hours.
How It Breaks
Indian Rocks Beach is a classic shifty sand beach break on the Pinellas Gulf coast that only fires on a good west blow or the backside of a front. It is a local favorite when it is on, drawing a low-moderate crowd, but it sits dead flat otherwise, so keep expectations Gulf-realistic and check conditions before you go.
Best Conditions
Best on a strong W/SW wind swell from a cold front or tropical system, with light E/NE offshore wind and a mid tide. Winter fronts and hurricane season are the windows that matter here. Expect rip currents, shallow sandbars, and stingrays, so shuffle your feet, whenever you do catch it working.
Cam and Know Before You Go
Watch the live cam at Sun & Fun Resort before you head out. Know the flags and rip currents before paddling out, watch the inlet current and boat traffic, and shuffle for stingrays.
Parking and Local Tips
Parking is metered lots and it gets tight in season, so plan for that. Locals treat this spot as only rideable on strong W/SW wind swells from fronts or tropical systems, so check the forecast first, this is not a beach to show up at on a whim and expect a wave.
Gear and the Shop
The closest Island Water Sports store is a real drive from Indian Rocks Beach, so check our locations page before you travel, or shop online in advance. Soft-tops, surfboards, winter wetsuits, leashes, wax and traction, fins, ding repair, and board bags are all stocked at islandwatersports.com.
Gear for Indian Rocks Beach
FAQ
Is Indian Rocks Beach a reliable surf spot?
No, it is dead flat most of the time. It is a local favorite only on the days a strong W/SW wind, cold front, or tropical system lines up.
What skill level suits Indian Rocks Beach?
Beginner-intermediate, when the classic shifty beach break is actually working.
What tide is best at Indian Rocks Beach?
A mid tide with light E/NE offshore wind, once a strong W/SW wind swell has built from a front or tropical system.
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