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Juno Pier - Break Data
Surf spot travel photo of Juno Pier
Description
In the late '80s, the old Juno Pier was destroyed by a powerful swell. Construction on the new pier began in the late '90s and sandbars have since formed on either side. The Juno Pier is as consistent as the Lake Worth Pier to the south, and offers a similar setup -- minus the localism. This place is crowded and clicky.

Juno is not a renowned big-wave spot, but it can hold some size. Hurricane and nor'easter swells have sent unruly lefts in the double overhead range firing the length of the pier from the outside. At head-high, the waves are very lined-up and under control. There is a midsection that usually connects, and the inside is steep, fast and rippable. Fun windswell peaks throw over the inside as well, with the better onshore nuggets found on the pier's north side. Like most places in the Juno Beach and Jupiter area, the Juno Beach Pier breaks best during the incoming tide. Unlike most other spots in the area, it will still serve up a fun inside section at high tide if the swell is sufficient.

The Juno Beach Pier is the most consistent wave in the north end of Palm Beach County and everyone knows it. Given the slightest trace of swell, something ridable is breaking off the south side of the pier and surfers are on it. The crowds aren't so heavy during school and business hours, but on weekends and holidays the place is a zoo. There are a number of fun sandbars within a short hike of the pier, so don't add to the crowd or to your own stress level.

The Juno Beach Pier quickly gave rise to its own surf community, and the pack has an eccentric dynamic. The guys and girls from the Jupiter Noserider's Club dominate the outside on longboards. Passels of grommets, in many cases the children of these longboarders, compete for the inside peaks. Although the pier seems to be a family-oriented place, it can be sketchy. Numerous fights have gone down here between surfers and between pier fishermen and surfers. For a while it got so bad that the town considered doing away with surfing near the pier all together.

Surfers have since reconciled themselves with the town. After a lengthy debate, The Palm Beach Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation reached an agreement with the county: surfing is not allowed within 100 feet of the pier, but there is a paddle-out zone next to the pilings. That zone may be altered at any time by the beach patrol. The beach patrol also determines where surfing will be allowed. Period. Surfers must begin to paddle away from the pilings as they near the first shelter. Paddling through the pier's pilings or shooting the pier is illegal. Anyone caught in violation of these ordinances will be banned from the park.
-- Terry Gibson 		Best Tide:
either side of the high tide
Best Swell Direction:
NNE, ESE windswell
Best Size:
waist-high to overhead
Best Wind:
WNW, ESE
Perfect-O-Meter:
5 (1=Lake Erie; 10=Jeffreys Bay)
Bottom:
sand
Ability Level:
all
Bring Your:
anything that floats
Best Season:
year-round, swell permitting
Access:
easy
Crowd Factor:
zoo
Local Vibe:
v
Bicep Burn:
2 (1=1ft Waikiki; 10=15ft Ocean Beach)
Poo Patrol:
1 (1=clean; 10=turds in the lineup)
Shark Danger:
6 (1=none; 10=bring an iron cage)
Places To Eat
Check out the Jupiter Ale House (561-746-6720), located on Center Street, for libations and good times. Dune Dog Drive-In (561-744-6667), at the end of Center Street on Alternate A1A, caters to surfers. And Trapper's Cabin (561-743-9700), which is located on A1A in the vicinity of Carlin Park, is great for breakfast.
Places To Stay
The pampered traveler will enjoy the Jupiter Beach Resort (561-746-2511), located one half-mile south of the Jupiter Inlet. The more frugal or nature-minded will opt for camping at the Jonathon Dickenson State Park located on the Loxahatchee River: call (561-546-2771) for reservations. There is an entrance fee of $3.25 per carload of up to eight people, and camps sites cost about $15 and vary seasonally. Cabins and canoes are available for rent. The park is a recreational option during flat spells.

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Things To Do
The fishing in the Jupiter Inlet is even better than the surf. The beautiful Loxahatchee River pours into the ocean through the Inlet, and sharks of every size and variety come here to dine on sardines, snook and sometimes surfers. Try the web for fishing services.
Surf Shops
There's Juno Surf Shop (561-626-3569) in town, The Surf Shack (561-799-2875), Ocean Magic Surf and Sport (561-744-8925), Locals Surf Shop (561-624-6006), and Lazy Daze (561-625-9283) are all nearby. Jupiter surfers are a tight and active group, and Jupiterisland.com is an excellent source of information about area happenings. You can also get a membership application for the notorious Jupiter Noseriders, who meet at the Crab Pot Restaurant (561-844-2722) on the first Monday of every month.

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