Ocean Avenue
Driving south on A1A from Indialantic, you’ll enter Melbourne Beach, one of Brevard’s older beach communities and desirable neighborhoods. Melbourne Beach’s main break is at the end of Ocean Avenue (OA). OA has a tradition as a neighborhood spot as well as the home of Eastern Surf Magazine. After turning left at the four-way stop, you’re on Ocean Avenue. Drive straight two blocks to a small short-term parking lot overlooking the beach. Adjacent to that lot are sand volleyball courts, a pavilion, and a second parking facility with no time limits or meters. Sand shifts over the course of a year, changing this break from a mushy outside wave to a strong shorepound. The break is mostly appreciated for being relatively deep, limiting the shutdown factor that plagues most Central Florida spots on large swells. When the surf is small, semi-mushy conditions make Ocean Avenue a mix of old-school longboarders and Mel Beach groms. Most travelers either zip by or drive through the beachside lot for a quick peek on the way to Sebastian Inlet. |
Spanish House
A popular spot since the days of hitchhiking and no leashes, Spanish House is the first parking area and beach access north of Sebastian Inlet. Once you’ve driven past Bonsteel and the entrance to Long Point Park, keep looking on the right until you see a dirt lot with a bulletin board out front. Find a parking spot – if you can – cross A1A and follow the shrub-lined trail to the beach. The Spanish-style home located just steps away from the break is unique to the area, and so is the wave it guards. Spanish House's deep outside and shallow inside bar gives the break some push, offering more of a challenge than the dribblers of northern Brevard on most average swells. Under ideal conditions – strong swell, low tide, and offshore breeze – there’s a chance for rare Florida perfection, transforming the beach into a top-to-bottom barrel garden. Because of its punch, proximity to the Inlet, extensive parking, and cheap price (free) Spanish House suffers most of the Inlet’s overflow, but usually lacks the attitude, thanks to the lineup. You can always walk away until you find a peak away from the Spanish House pack, and some cheapskates will even tread as far as the Inlet. If you choose such a path, you’ll pass another sneaker spot call Chernobyl’s. |
Sebastian Inlet
Part talent show, part photo studio, part boxing ring, Sebastian Inlet is not only Florida’s most famous spot, it’s the break most synonymous with all of East Coast surfing. Sebastian has actually been the subject of headlines since the 60’s, when construction began on what was once a natural inlet, resulting in the rubble jetty now famous for its refractory magic. Building its reputation by building some of the planet’s best surfers, including 9-time world champion Kelly Slater – the same environment that forced such heroes to outsurf each other also created a competitive vibe ripe for clashing.
Sebastian is making headlines again as the home of the O’Neill Sebastian Inlet Pro Surfing Tournament, presented by Ron Jon Surf Shop. One of the top professional tournaments in North America, this Four-star World Qualifying Series is the preeminent professional surfing contest on the East Coast of the U.S. The early January event draws 250 of the world’s best competitors.
Getting there is simple – take A1A south from Indialantic for 18 miles. Before the bridge, turn right at the state park sign and follow the road to a kiosk. Pay the ranger $5.00, and then try to find a parking spot in the right-hand lot.
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