Sunny Isles Surf Spot & Cam Guide
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida · South Florida
Sunny Isles / North Miami Beach is a beach break that stays small most days because the Bahamas shadow deepens through this stretch of Miami-Dade. It suits beginner-intermediate surfers and needs a direct E/SE windswell, a strong NE swell, or a hurricane swell to turn on, working best with W/NW offshore wind and a mid tide.
| Day | Surf | Wind | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 7/24 | ankle to knee (1.8 ft) | 13 mph E | Poor |
| Sat 7/25 | flat (0.7 ft) | 17 mph SSE | Flat |
| Sun 7/26 | flat (0.5 ft) | 18 mph SSW | Flat |
| Mon 7/27 | flat (0.3 ft) | 14 mph SW | Flat |
| Tue 7/28 | ankle to knee (1.0 ft) | 15 mph SW | Fair |
| Wed 7/29 | ankle to knee (1.0 ft) | 14 mph SW | Fair |
| Thu 7/30 | flat (0.9 ft) | 17 mph WSW | Flat |
Days 8 to 15 are a lower confidence outlook. Data by Open-Meteo.com, refreshed every 2 hours.
How It Breaks
Sunny Isles / North Miami Beach is a beach break, often marginal, along Sunny Isles Beach in Miami-Dade County. The Bahamas shadow that covers the region south of roughly West Palm Beach deepens here, so the swell window is narrow and the wave is small more often than not. When a real E/SE windswell, a NE swell, or a passing hurricane swell lines up, it turns into a fun, easygoing beach break that beginner-intermediate surfers can work with.
Best Conditions
Look for E/SE windswell or NE swell paired with W/NW offshore wind and a mid tide, the combination the record marks as the best window here. Best season runs fall windswell into winter fronts. Expect rip currents and swimmer crowds even on a good day, and moderate crowds whenever it is rideable, so it pays to check before you drive down.
Cam and Know Before You Go
We run the Acqualina Resort live cam (Sunny Isles Beach Live Cam) on this page so you can check the lineup before you go. Know the flags and rip currents before paddling out, and watch the inlet current and boat traffic, this stretch sees real swimmer and boat volume.
Parking and Local Tips
Parking is paid garages and meters, and it is both hard to find and pricey close to the beach, so budget extra time. The local read: this is a fickle beach break that needs a real E/SE or hurricane swell, a lower tide, and west wind to be worth the drive, and the beach itself is tourist-heavy year round.
Gear and the Shop
Island Water Sports in Pompano Beach is the closest IWS store, about 21 miles north, worth the trip for a soft-top for a beginner-intermediate session, a winter wetsuit, or fresh wax before a fall or winter swell. Shop soft-tops, surfboards, wetsuits, leashes, wax, fins, ding repair, and board bags online anytime.
Gear for Sunny Isles / North Miami Beach
FAQ
Does Sunny Isles / North Miami Beach get good waves often?
Not usually. The Bahamas shadow deepens through this part of Miami-Dade, so it is often small, and it mainly fires on a direct E/SE windswell, a NE swell, or a strong hurricane swell.
What skill level is Sunny Isles good for?
Beginner-intermediate. It is a forgiving beach break when it is working, best with W/NW offshore wind and a mid tide.
Where is the nearest Island Water Sports store?
Pompano Beach, about 21 miles (roughly 30 to 45 minutes) north of Sunny Isles.
Nearby spots
Boca RatonBoca Raton (Palmetto Park & A1A)
Boca RatonBoynton Beach Inlet
Ocean RidgeDania Beach Pier
Dania Beach · live cam