Dawn patrol surfing in Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral, Florida

Sunrise and first light times for planning your dawn patrol session.

First light in Cape Canaveral means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 1 spots are worth the 5am alarm.

Sunrise

7:26 AM
First Light: 6:56 AM

Day length: 11h 24m

-2 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

7:26 AM

First light: 6:56 AM

Sunset

6:50 PM

Last light: 7:20 PM

Data from Cherie Down Park Beach · Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

Today(Today)

Sunrise

7:26 AM

Sunset

6:50 PM

Day Length

11h 24m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

7:27 AM

Sunset

6:49 PM

Day Length

11h 22m

Wed, Oct 21

Sunrise

7:27 AM

Sunset

6:48 PM

Day Length

11h 21m

Thu, Oct 22

Sunrise

7:28 AM

Sunset

6:47 PM

Day Length

11h 19m

Fri, Oct 23

Sunrise

7:29 AM

Sunset

6:46 PM

Day Length

11h 18m

Sat, Oct 24

Sunrise

7:29 AM

Sunset

6:45 PM

Day Length

11h 16m

Best dawn patrol spots in Cape Canaveral

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Featured Beaches(1)

Cherie Down Park Beach

Intermediate

Atlantic beach at Cherie Down Park in Cape Canaveral. The county park provides public beach access from Ridgewood Avenue.

Dawn patrol access guide for Cape Canaveral

Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.

Cherie Down Park Beach
beach

Atlantic beach at Cherie Down Park in Cape Canaveral. The county park provides public beach access from Ridgewood Avenue.

Early access

Use Cherie Down Park’s public beach access and follow posted county beach rules.

Dawn patrol tips

  • Glassy morning conditions before onshore winds
  • Less crowded lineups at sunrise
  • East-facing beaches for sunrise views
  • Spots with easy parking for early arrivals

Surf Guides for Cape Canaveral

Conditions

Dawn Patrol
You're here
Sunset Sessions
Evening golden hour spots
Tide Windows
Optimal tidal conditions
Water Temperature
Conditions & wetsuit guide

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in Cape Canaveral

Dawn patrol in Cape Canaveral typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.
Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.

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