West Florida

[ND081]

i know this forum isn't really used but there isn't really much information on gulf coast surfing so i thought i'd try here. i'm going to be on captiva island next week and it looks like there may be a chance of swell. the forecast says it will be pretty hard onshore but does anyone know of any spots within and hour or two that may get lucky? also i don't think its worth dragging a board down there with fees and what not so are there any places that rent boards? i'd love to get a surf in while im down there so any help is appreciated

[ihatelongboarders]

if you bring a board down there for shoulder high onshore mushburgers you are going to be so pissed.

- former 3 year west florida local

[wesman944]

I've lived in fort Myers for 4 months now for school and have caught some good fun waves at the right time. Biggest I've seen it is about chest high barreling. Hard to believe I know... Just have to be At the right spot like anywhere. If your going to be on captiva the best spot is blind pass beach, this is the inlet where sanibel and captiva meet. And the only other place I paddle out is Naples pier, I'll be there Friday. Generally from my experience when there's waves here it's choppy & windy, but I have seen it glass out really nice. I ride my 5'10" CI neckbeard always. All that said, it's been flat for like 2 weeks. The good swell comes in the winter or if a hurricane passes through, but there are wave in the forecast for this week! Hope you enjoy your visit! Maybe see you out in the line up.

[wesman944]

And to get a board there's a surf shop in Naples called olde Naples surf shop that has rentals. Or if I'm paddling out at blind pass you can use this 6'0" epoxy fish I have.

[ND081]

I've lived in fort Myers for 4 months now for school and have caught some good fun waves at the right time. Biggest I've seen it is about chest high barreling. Hard to believe I know... Just have to be At the right spot like anywhere. If your going to be on captiva the best spot is blind pass beach, this is the inlet where sanibel and captiva meet. And the only other place I paddle out is Naples pier, I'll be there Friday. Generally from my experience when there's waves here it's choppy & windy, but I have seen it glass out really nice. I ride my 5'10" CI neckbeard always. All that said, it's been flat for like 2 weeks. The good swell comes in the winter or if a hurricane passes through, but there are wave in the forecast for this week! Hope you enjoy your visit! Maybe see you out in the line up.

alright man thanks so much for all the info. ill probably have my laptop with me so ill post back with my findings. good luck on friday i hope you get some fun ones

[DawnPatrolSUP]

It all depends on where the swell is going to hit and the wind direction. I grew up on the Gulf and have found that Venice Jetty is the best wave around for Gulf standards if the conditions are right. Captiva Island has it's days too, but Venice Jetty typically is a bit larger and a bit more clean than anywhere else you'll find within driving distance. I spend most my time on the East Coast these days but I've had several fun sessions down there already this year so I hope you score. If it's good enough, I may even drive down (only an hour from me)

[DawnPatrolSUP]

I've lived in fort Myers for 4 months now for school and have caught some good fun waves at the right time. Biggest I've seen it is about chest high barreling. Hard to believe I know... Just have to be At the right spot like anywhere. If your going to be on captiva the best spot is blind pass beach, this is the inlet where sanibel and captiva meet. And the only other place I paddle out is Naples pier, I'll be there Friday. Generally from my experience when there's waves here it's choppy & windy, but I have seen it glass out really nice. I ride my 5'10" CI neckbeard always. All that said, it's been flat for like 2 weeks. The good swell comes in the winter or if a hurricane passes through, but there are wave in the forecast for this week! Hope you enjoy your visit! Maybe see you out in the line up.

Good stuff man, glad you found a solid wave down here, and it's not that hard to believe actually, it's just a matter of the right conditions just like anywhere else. The best part about Florida is you can typically drive to either coast so no matter what you are within driving distance to a decent wave. I know the Blind Pass Jetty you speak of and have caught some good waves there, if you haven't tried Venice Jetty yet, you should, it makes Blind Pass seem pretty average IMO. Also Anna Maria Island is a decent little wave too, not very far from there.

[ND081]

It all depends on where the swell is going to hit and the wind direction. I grew up on the Gulf and have found that Venice Jetty is the best wave around for Gulf standards if the conditions are right. Captiva Island has it's days too, but Venice Jetty typically is a bit larger and a bit more clean than anywhere else you'll find within driving distance. I spend most my time on the East Coast these days but I've had several fun sessions down there already this year so I hope you score. If it's good enough, I may even drive down (only an hour from me)

where exactly is venice jetty?

[DawnPatrolSUP]

where exactly is venice jetty?

If you are in Captiva Island, it's a bit of a drive, but it's North of where you'll be staying and South of Siesta Key. Honestly not worth the drive unless it's over waist high

[MFitz73]

I was in naples for a few days last month and the day I got there it was waist to chest!!! I mean it was your wind blown type of surf but people were out surfing. I wish I had a board to use that day...