Dawn patrol surfing in Miami Beach

Miami Beach, Florida

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

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

Sunrise

7:16 AM
First Light: 6:46 AM

Day length: 12h 21m

+2 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

7:16 AM

First light: 6:46 AM

Sunset

7:36 PM

Last light: 8:06 PM

Data from South Beach · Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

Today(Today)

Sunrise

7:16 AM

Sunset

7:36 PM

Day Length

12h 21m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

7:15 AM

Sunset

7:37 PM

Day Length

12h 22m

Wed, Apr 1

Sunrise

7:14 AM

Sunset

7:37 PM

Day Length

12h 24m

Thu, Apr 2

Sunrise

7:13 AM

Sunset

7:38 PM

Day Length

12h 25m

Fri, Apr 3

Sunrise

7:11 AM

Sunset

7:38 PM

Day Length

12h 27m

Best dawn patrol spots in Miami Beach

Dawn patrol access guide for Miami Beach

Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.

South Beach
beach
upper-intermediate

South Beach is better known for its vibrant nightlife than surfing, but when a strong N/NE swell sneaks around the Bahamas, this urban beach produces overhead hollow waves. Waves crash onto hard‑packed sand with serious power, making it a challenging spot for upper‑intermediate surfers. Outside of rare swells, the break is mushy or flat.

Early access

Walk from the boardwalk through designated beach entrances. Surf away from swimmers and avoid lifeguard‑only zones.

Parking

Parking garages and metered spots line Ocean Drive. Expect high fees and traffic; public transit or biking is a good alternative.

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 Miami Beach

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in Miami Beach

Dawn patrol in Miami Beach 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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