St. Augustine in early December?

[bigkahuna]

I'm thinking about heading down to St. Augustine the first week of December. I'll be driving down from NC. What are typical water temps for that time of year, will a 3/2 work? I noticed there's a fishing pier across the street from where we'll be staying, are you allowed to surf near piers there? Any spots that I should look for?

Thanks,

BigK

[fltraveler]

3/2 will pretty much work anywhere in fl all year round

[mattsatbeach]

If you have booties you might want to bring them otherwise don't worry about it. When I lived in Jax they were a necessity for me at least. Hopefully your not staying at St. Augustine beach front resort. That place is a sh** hole and the service desk was a bunch of dumb fu*** that made up for their stupidity by being rude. The waves are good around that pier though. I felt bad for the locals because they have a board rental right in front of that break so beginners are all over it. Probably won't have that problem in December though.

[bigkahuna]

Thanks for the info. It looks like we're in for a very cold winter this year and I'm gonna need to get a dose of warmer weather to help keep me sane. Can you believe it went down into the 30's last night? Jeesh... The wife and I moved here from Hawaii so I'm still adapting to this weather.

Yeah, I read some reviews about the "resort" while searching google for places to stay. There's a Super 8 across the street that sounds a little bit better, but it seems that the hotels in the area are either dumps or $$. So I'll just have to find the best dump I can.

[AndybFresh]

Trust me the water temp never gets below 55 and generally the sun is always shining so the water doesn't really feel that cold once you put your head under. I surf jax beach and st augie all year and durring the winter all i wear is a spring suit. Booties are kind of overkill. Especially if your from NC probably surfing outer banks, it really won't phase you. Just make sure you've got some semi cold water wax, a sweat shirt for when you get out and you should be good to go.

ps. on a side note, it varies, but generally it doesn't even get very cold down here until mid January

pps. There is a really nice condominium directly across the street from the st. augie pier (some of the best surf in st augie) called "seaside at anastasia" i've stayed there and it really is a great place, pretty with a kitchen living room, back porch, and everything you need. durring december its 750 per week. If you're interested google it... seaside at anastasia. Hope i hope ive been some help and that your trip goes well.

[bigkahuna]

Thanks Andy, good stuff!

[mattsatbeach]

Trust me the water temp never gets below 55 and generally the sun is always shining so the water doesn't really feel that cold once you put your head under. I surf jax beach and st augie all year and durring the winter all i wear is a spring suit.

Spring suit all year?? That's crazy talk!! I'm in central florida and wear a full suit 2-3 months at least! It's alot colder up there then here too. I have seen sleet fall in Jax, you are wearing a spring suit then as well?

[e-bot]

Trust me the water temp never gets below 55 and generally the sun is always shining so the water doesn't really feel that cold once you put your head under. I surf jax beach and st augie all year and durring the winter all i wear is a spring suit.

Spring suit all year?? That's crazy talk!! I'm in central florida and wear a full suit 2-3 months at least! It's alot colder up there then here too. I have seen sleet fall in Jax, you are wearing a spring suit then as well?

I can back up what Andy said. I'm in central Fla and most of the winter I just wear trunks and a long sleeve neoprene top to keep the wind off me (like a half-mil.) Only when its ass cold do I break out the wetsuit... I have a little extra natural insulation on me, but someone who's used to the colder water up in NC won't need much down here until late december or january.

[bigkahuna]

Wetsuit or no, either way it'll be warmer down there that it is up here!

[mattsatbeach]

Wetsuit or no, either way it'll be warmer down there that it is up here!

I won't argue with that! I guess just be prepared by bringing something, if you don't need it then cool, if you do than you have it. Being cold ruins it for me so I guess I can overdue it.