Deerfield Beach Spot Guide

Past Boca, Broward County's former spring break mecca of Fort Lauderdale anchors a string of smaller coastal towns -- Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Pompano Beach, Lauderdale by the Sea, Dania and Hollywood -- each of which has its own set of breaks. All of Broward's surf spots are within an hour-strike of each other, function under similar conditions, and are easy-to-hit off A1A. It's also the most populated and least surf-friendly stretch of South Florida. Deerfield Pier works best on strong southeast windswells, or during the brief easterly Providence Channel swells, a phenomenon that occurs mostly from hurricanes tracking toward the Bahamas with winds in just the right spot. North/northeast swells break at the pier as well, but they tend to be mushy. The Deerfield Pier is a popular spot and carries something of a local vibe. There is some metered parking along the waterfront. It costs $1/hour and more parking can be found on the side streets.