New Smyrna Beach:
Back around Ponce, to the south side of the Inlet, is New Smyrna Beach. Stay on A1A and follow the signs back through town. Even though you can riskily paddle across the inlet — watch out for boat traffic — take the safe route and drive around. It only takes about 30 minutes.
While Daytona is the landlubber’s zoo, New Smyrna is where the beach and water explode with panicked activity. Everybody in the state — or at least Orlando — is aware that this is the most consistent surf break in Florida. When the whole world is flat, you can usually find a wave here. Furthermore, tourists flock to fill the miles of beach between the entrance and the Inlet, which is enough space that driving on the sand is not only necessary, it’s encouraged. Be careful of the cars speeding between the dunes and the water. Four-wheel drive is preferred if you’re going to stay through high tide.
The water isn’t any less clogged. While there’s space to spread out, there’s usually a surfer at every hole. NSB is best on east and south swells with higher, incoming tide; however, it works on most anything and can actually boost the size a bit. It may be one foot along the beach, but right next to the inlet it may be three times the size. Paddling out along the jetty to the main peak is hardly suggested. These better nuggets are reserved for the hard group of locals who have spent their lives earning a cherished spot in this ruthless lineup. Unless you’re willing to put in the same time and effort over a few years, resign yourself to surfing down the beach. Final thought: south swells suck here, so don’t bother, and at low tide, it’s not as good, as it breaks on the far outside sandbar called Shark Shallows. Then again, a few friendly fins might be a nice break from the locals.