Upham Beach Surf Report: Live, Conditions & Forecast

Upham Beach is the north-end spot in St. Pete Beach, sitting right at Blind Pass on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is a sand-bottom beach break that gives up lefts and rights, and because it sits by the pass it tends to catch a little more swell than the open beaches nearby, which has long made it the go-to local peak when anything is running. Like the rest of the Gulf, though, it is small or flat most of the time and really only works on winter cold fronts and tropical or hurricane systems.

Best Swell Direction: South to southwest wind swell, generated by Gulf cold fronts and tropical or hurricane systems.

Best Winds: North to northeast winds are offshore here, the opposite of the Atlantic coast, since the Gulf lies to the west.

Best Size: Usually small and often sloppy, picking up mainly on fronts and during hurricane season.

Best Tide: Tends to work best on medium to high tide.

Break: A sand-bottom beach break by Blind Pass, with the pass and its shifting sandbars feeding the peak. Note that dredging and the installation of erosion-control T-groins have changed and generally softened the wave quality over the years.

Seasons: The best windows are winter cold fronts and the summer and fall hurricane season. Summer is typically flat and calm, and even in the good windows surfable days are short-lived.

Crowds: When it is working it is one of the busier St. Pete Beach peaks, since it breaks more often than the open beach, so expect company.

No Lifeguards: Upham Beach does not staff lifeguards, so swimming and surfing are at your own risk. Know the conditions before you paddle out, and be aware of currents around Blind Pass.

Facilities: Upham Beach Park (6850 Beach Plaza) has a paid parking lot, restrooms, outdoor showers, rental umbrellas and cabanas, and the Paradise Grill restaurant on the sand.

Operating Hours (Subject to change): The beach is generally open during daylight hours. Confirm current rules with the City of St. Pete Beach.

Fees: Parking is paid via pay stations (free after 8:00 PM). Confirm current pricing at https://www.stpetebeach.org/216/Parking-Transportation