Fifth Street (Miami)

📍 Local Knowledge

Fifth Street in Miami is a fickle, sheltered beach and reef break in South Florida that rarely sees surfable waves, with no reliable seasonal pattern. When it does break, it’s usually from local windswells or occasional distant north-northeast groundswells, working best with offshore winds from the west. The setup includes beach breaks and reef sections, with lefts more common than rights. It’s best surfed around a rising low tide. Crowds can be an issue when it’s working, and surfers should be cautious of strong rips, submerged obstacles, pollution, localism, and the occasional shark. Winter—especially January—offers the best chance for clean, rideable waves.