Reef Road Surf Report & Cam Guide
Palm Beach, Florida · South Florida
Reef Road at Lake Worth Inlet is Florida's most famous big-wave spot, where long, racy point-like lefts wrap off the jetty and run 100-plus yards. It only switches on with a serious overhead N or NE groundswell a handful of times a year, and it's strictly experts only when it does.
| Day | Surf | Wind | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 7/24 | knee to waist (2.4 ft) | 14 mph E | Marginal |
| Sat 7/25 | ankle to knee (1.6 ft) | 12 mph SE | Marginal |
| Sun 7/26 | ankle to knee (1.2 ft) | 16 mph SSW | Marginal |
| Mon 7/27 | ankle to knee (1.2 ft) | 13 mph SW | Fair |
| Tue 7/28 | ankle to knee (1.5 ft) | 16 mph SW | Fair |
| Wed 7/29 | ankle to knee (1.9 ft) | 11 mph WSW | Fair |
| Thu 7/30 | knee to waist (2.1 ft) | 15 mph WSW | Good |
Days 8 to 15 are a lower confidence outlook. Data by Open-Meteo.com, refreshed every 2 hours.
How It Breaks
Reef Road is a point-style sandbar off the Lake Worth Inlet jetty, producing long, racy lefts that wrap off the south jetty and run 100-plus yards on their day. It's rated advanced to big-wave only, and the crowd goes high whenever it's actually on, since it only breaks a handful of times a year.
Best Conditions
This spot needs a big N to NE groundswell at overhead size or bigger, with a W offshore wind and a mid tide, and it peaks in winter, January especially. Hazards are serious: heavy waves, powerful current, rocks, and real localism, on top of the fact that it rarely breaks at all. This is not a spot to learn on.
Cam Line and Know Before You Go
Watch the live cam at Lake Worth Inlet before making the trip, since this wave only fires a handful of times a year. Know the flags and rip currents before paddling out, this is a reef and rock bottom so booties are worth it, and watch the inlet current and boat traffic closely.
Parking and Local Tips
Parking is hard and very limited in Palm Beach, expect a walk-in. Local tip: this is Florida's best big-wave reef, and it only works on large N or NE groundswell, or a hurricane swell, so go in expecting heavy locals and a sharp reef if you paddle out.
Gear and the Shop
A big-wave reef like this calls for a leash and fin setup you trust completely. Island Water Sports carries surfboards, wetsuits, leashes, wax and traction, fins, ding repair kits, and board bags. The nearest Island Water Sports store is our Delray Beach location, about 21.6 miles away, for gear before or after the drive to Palm Beach.
Gear for Reef Road / Lake Worth Inlet (Pumphouse)
FAQ
How often does Reef Road actually break?
Rarely, only a handful of times a year, when a serious overhead N or NE groundswell hits, typically peaking in winter around January.
Is Reef Road suitable for beginners?
No, it's rated advanced to big-wave only. Heavy waves, powerful current, rocks, and real localism make this an experts-only wave.
Where can I find the nearest Island Water Sports store to Reef Road?
Our Delray Beach store is the closest, about 21.6 miles away, and it carries surfboards, wetsuits, and the rest of the gear for a trip out here.
Nearby spots
Boca RatonBoca Raton (Palmetto Park & A1A)
Boca RatonBoynton Beach Inlet
Ocean RidgeDania Beach Pier
Dania Beach · live cam