Miami Surf Photos: Rare Six-Foot Waves Hit South Beach in the Chill

Miami isn’t exactly famous for surfing—or for cold weather. But on those rare days when the temperature plunges below 50°F and the waves actually show up, the city becomes an unlikely surf destination.

Tuesday was one of those days. The coldest so far this winter, with lows in the lower 40s early on. Surfers from across Florida grabbed their boards and headed straight for South Beach.

“Winter time and hurricane season are always the best times to surf,” said a veteran surfer who goes by “Red.” A New York native, he’s been living and surfing in Miami for 32 years.

“It’s pretty much close to perfect,” added 21-year-old Alex Seaman, who was carrying a friend’s broken board. “It was snapped by the waves. That doesn’t happen that often.”

His friend Sam G. called the conditions “six-foot hollow tubes”—the kind of surf that makes locals drop everything and paddle out.

The swell was good enough to pull in out-of-towners too. Jeremy Johnston, winner of the 2010 Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championship, drove down from New Smyrna Beach (about four hours north). “The waves are usually better up there,” he said, “but today they were better down here.”

Even representatives from emerging surf brands showed up. Chris McKinley from Dunkelvolk (a Peruvian surfwear company gaining traction alongside Billabong, Quicksilver, and Rip Curl) was on hand to take in the action.

Photos by Carlos Miller

Surfing in South Beach Today (2026 Update)

South Beach still isn’t a consistent surf spot—flat days far outnumber good ones—but when a solid north swell or hurricane-season bump hits, the lineup fills fast. Six-foot hollows remain rare, but the excitement is real. Red, Alex, Sam, Jeremy, and the rest of the crew are likely still chasing those winter windows. Miami’s surf scene is small but dedicated—proof that even in a city known for sun and sand, a little cold and swell can bring out the stoke.

Editor’s Note: Originally published in December 15, 2010. Updated in 2026; Carlos Miller's original writing remains unchanged.