St. Andrews State Park

St. Andrews State Park is a popular surf spot on Florida’s Gulf Coast near Panama City Beach. It’s known more for being a scenic, accessible beach break than a consistent heavy-wave destination.

Surf overview

• Wave type: Beach break
• Best swell direction: Typically works best with Gulf swell from the south to southeast
• Wind: Offshore conditions are usually favored by northeast to east winds
• Wave quality: Can be fun on the right swell, but often small, soft, and inconsistent
• Crowds: Can draw local surfers when conditions line up, especially during better Gulf swells
• Skill level: Suitable for beginners to intermediate surfers when surf is manageable

What to expect

Because it’s on the Gulf of Mexico, surf here is usually less powerful than on Atlantic-facing Florida breaks. The spot can produce rideable waves during: - tropical systems or distant hurricanes - strong frontal passages - periods of prolonged onshore or swell-producing winds

The beach is sandy, so the bottom can shift and the peaks can move around. This means conditions can change from session to session.

Atmosphere

The park setting makes it a nice place to surf, with clear water, white sand, and a relaxed coastal feel. It’s also a good spot for combining a surf session with fishing, swimming, or general beach time.

Best time to surf

The best surf windows are often in late summer through fall, when Gulf storms are more likely to generate usable swell. Winter cold fronts can also create short-lived surfable conditions.