Florida's east coast is known for surfing, spring break, and subtropical vibes. While Cocoa Beach is a famous surf city, it's also a prime kitesurfing city with many unique locations and a solid community of stoked riders.

Cocoa Beach has many ocean and river locations, but one amazing surf spot is just past the main surf breaks south of the tourist strip. 16th Street is a wide-open beach with limited parking, a beach shower, a small boardwalk, and incredible waves.

It is not a kiteboarding hot spot or a well-known location, but it is a solid spot for riders looking for a quiet place to shred the waves or a good downwinder checkpoint.

The riding here is mostly waves but you can score flatter water when the wind is lighter and the tide is high. At low tide, the wave kickers here are prime for waves or launching sent jumps off the kickers.

This is a surf beach, so there can be surfers on the best days, but it's easy enough to walk a few hundred years up or downwind to find your own private wave playground. 16th Street is another prime spot for kite and wing foil, with quick access to deep water and moderate-size, sometimes rolling waves.

This is a fun spot close to town, but there are things you should know before kitesurfing here. This guide will share everything you need to know about kiteboarding 16th Street.

South of the Cocoa Beach Pier, you will fund a small parking lot where 16th Street meets the Atlantic Ocean. The lot is small, but there is usually parking here on windy days. Most surfers and regular beachgoers will not be out when the wind is firing here.

You'll walk through some mangroves on a scenic boardwalk into the main beach. Picture white sand, palms, mangroves, and ample space to rig your gear.

The water gets deep quickly here, so it's especially easy access for kite foil and wing surf to get out quickly. What makes the spot so special is you will likely have it to yourself, or there might be one or two local kiters here. It's not uncommon to see kites on the horizon, as this whole coast is fantastic for wave downwinders.

This is a common start and end point for many downwinder sets. Off the beach, you'll have access to beach showers, restrooms, and shady areas to relax.

The conditions here vary wildly, so assessing the forecast and considering your skill level is imperative. Being an ocean spot, the sand bards will vary, and the waves can range from small rollers to steep peeling waves.

If the waves are really good, make sure to give surfers the right of way and use the power of your kite to find an unclaimed area. If you're looking for something more beginner-friendly, we recommend heading north to Jetty Park.

The bottom is hard-packed and shallow, the waves are almost always smaller, and the Jetty provides some protection. If you're frothing on cleaner wind and bigger waves, you can drive south to Satellite Beach. If you want a convenient spot near town, you'll love 16th Street.

Side & Side On: Most Cocoa Beach ocean spots require a north wind with some east to be manageable. You can ride north winds, but it's not recommended. The coast is angled, so true north will have turbulent rotary winds. With the hectic conditions, there is a chance you will have to swim back in. The further south you travel, the less turbulent the north winds get.

Onshore: East winds here are fun but challenging for new kiters. Make sure you can ride upwind and are competent riding with a small shore break. This can be a fun direction for intermediate wave riders to shred waves without worrying about getting too far downwind.

Offshore: If the wind is west, it will be dangerously gusty and push you out to sea. Be smart; never ride in offshore winds.

Sideoff: If you're an expert wave rider, you might consider riding a slight side-off wind here for clean waves. Just be ready to self-rescue and swim back in if necessary. Remember, you are always taking a chance to do this.

Take the A1A through Cocoa Beach until you hit 16th Street. Take a left and drive right into the parking lot. If you reach the Space Force base, you have gone too far south. You'll enter a small parking lot with a shower and public restroom.

There is a little sidewalk where you can stage your gear and a small grass area. It isn't easy to park larger vehicles here, such as RVs, but it's possible to back into a spot if the lot is not too full. Anything the size of a van or smaller will be manageable.

On windy days, this beach doesn't get too much action, so you won't have to worry about sharing the lot or the beach. A side note: Come early during spring break. Cocoa Beach gets crowded fast, and parking is a challenge.

Be respectful of the ocean and ride smart. 16th Street is beginner-friendly on light wind days or small wave days. There can still be rip currents, so make sure you know how to get out of them if you have to swim. Always check the surf report and asses if you are up to riding the waves that day.

Anything over 3 feet will be a challenge if you're newer. Beginners should wait for flatter days. There will always be chop and often small waves here. If you're looking for a kiteboarding flat water spot, consider the 520 slick.

Kitesurfing Acess: The waves here are fun if you're riding a kitesurfboard. We have the advantage of the kite, which allows us to travel fast and find our own space. The waves can vary from excellent to messy, but that is the magic of kiteboarding. It makes mediocre surf conditions fun!

Kitefoil Acess: The water here gets deep fast, making it a prime location for kite foiling. Foils are great for choppy days but watch for the shore break. It can be challenging to get out if the waves are too big.

Wing Surfing: There are better learning locations on the Banana River, like Kelly Park, where you'll get flat water and no waves. Depending on the conditions, 16th Street can be an excellent location to learn wing foiling. Beginners should watch the wave conditions and come out when the ocean is calm.

The chop is challenging, but the water depth is perfect for getting out and starting. As you progress, you'll return for the waves here.

Always show the ocean proper respect. Rip tides can occur here, and conditions can change quickly. Keep up with the wind and surf report to know the best times to go.

This is a popular surf beach, so always give the surfers the right of way. We are the faster-moving vessel, and it's the rules of navigation.

Only ride if there are a few people on the beach. If, for some reason, the beach is full, there is no shame in walking to find an open patch of beach and water to avoid the crowds.

Be mindful of the waves; never ride when they are too big. Never kite out further than you are willing or able to swim back in. It's easy to get sidetracked and sail far from the shore. If the wind shuts off or something happens, it will be a long swim back in.

• Waves
• Shore break
• Rip Tides 
• Strong Ocean Currents.  
• Deep Water 
• Beach Goers 
• Avoid the Swim Areas. Keep our Kite Spots Open.

Elite Watersports has served the Tampa and St Petersburg area for years. They offer kiteboarding and wingsurfing lessons. They also have a retail shop equipt with the latest kitesurfing gear. This is hands down the best location to learn kitesurfing. We have shallow flat water and easy beginner conditions. Call today and reserve your spot for jet-ski-supported lessons. If the wind is blowing, we're going!

If you need help give us a call. .
(727)-800-2202