Today
Sep 25
CAUTION13 mph NNW now. Cleanest window Sat 2 PM–Sat 9 PM.
6AM8PM
9–17
MPH WIND
G22 · 73°F
Rideable now — cleaner Sat 2 PM
13 mph NNW now. Cleanest window Sat 2 PM–Sat 9 PM.
Small Craft Advisory · until 8:00 AM
Open day — no meaningful thunder risk in the forecast.
You can go tomorrow: 10 AM–11 AM
Tidal river — water depth at the launch is best at mid-to-high tide. Current is mild compared to the inlet proper. No ebb-current hazard like the inlet mouth.
Wind · rain · NWS thunder · live storm arrival
13 mph NNW, gusts to 13 mph · 15% thunder · 32% rain
St. Augustine, FL · 29.9103, -81.2948 · NOAA 8720587
Today
Sep 25
9–17
MPH WIND
G22 · 73°F
Sat
Sep 26
5–10
MPH WIND
G16 · 75°F
Sun
Sep 27
2–7
MPH WIND
G8 · 76°F
Mon
Sep 28
1–11
MPH WIND
G14 · 78°F
Tue
Sep 29
2–11
MPH WIND
G18 · 80°F
Wed
Sep 30
4–12
MPH WIND
G19 · 82°F
Flat Water
5 / 5
Boat Traffic
low
Launch
easy
Parking
Drive-on beach — park right at the water. 4WD recommended for soft sand near the point.
Hard-pack sandy beach on the river side of the Porpoise Point spit — the Tolomato River / ICW bank, not the ocean or inlet face. Drive down Vilano Beach and park at the point; launch off the river side into flat protected water. Ride heads north up the Tolomato corridor between Vilano Beach and the mainland.
Sandy spit creates a natural windbreak between ocean and inlet. The west/inlet side is sheltered by the point itself and Vilano neighborhood buildings and vegetation. Ocean side is fully exposed to Atlantic swell and wind. The narrow sandy tip provides a calm pocket where inlet water stays flat even when conditions are rough elsewhere.
Wind Exposure
Vilano Beach barrier island blocks east wind across the entire river-side launch and ride corridor. West has partial mainland shelter. North and south are exposed along the ICW corridor — wind funnels up and down the river channel.
Fetch & Chop Risk
Max fetch: 3 mi to the north. Chop risk from: north, south winds.
North wind funnels straight down the corridor — headwind the whole way out. Stay within 0.75 miles of the launch, near where the channel narrows by the point. The further north you go, the more exposed you are. Short laps near the launch are your best bet.
Head north up the ICW corridor from the point, staying in the middle of the channel. Flat protected water. Turn around at 1–1.5 miles or continue toward Palm Valley.
Push north 2–3 miles up the Tolomato. Wide open flat water as the corridor widens. Great for speed runs.
When wind is from the east, the Vilano Beach barrier island blocks it completely — the corridor is glass. Best conditions at this spot. Go as far north as you want.
South wind gives you a tailwind riding north. Go 1–1.5 miles out, not further — the return leg is into the headwind and chop builds as you go deeper into the open corridor. Turn around while you still have easy water.
Crab pots scattered through the river — line risk
ICW boat traffic — fishing skiffs and recreational boats, less than downtown channel but present
Tidal current runs north on flood, south on ebb — plan your return leg accordingly
Sandbars near the point can be shallow at low tide — scout before riding
North/south corridor wind funnels along the river — conditions can build quickly if breeze fills in
Light wind from any direction except north/south along the corridor. East wind sheltered by Vilano Beach barrier island. Best on calm mornings before sea breeze fills in.
Drive south on Vilano Beach to the point and launch from the river/ICW side — face west toward the mainland. Ride north up the Tolomato corridor. The barrier island behind you blocks most easterly wind; north and south are your exposed directions along the corridor. Early morning glass is common here before any sea breeze develops. Much less boat traffic than the south/inlet route. Watch for crab pots and ICW markers. Time around mid-to-high tide for the most water depth near the launch.
Porpoise Point · St. Augustine, FL · 29.9103, -81.2948
WIND KSGJ observed 27m ago
TIDE 8720587 NOAA CO-OPS
STORM NEXRAD MRMS · no cells in range