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South Florida Surf Cameras

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Deerfield Beach shoreline

Updated 2026. Before you commit to a beach day for surfing, snorkeling, or just parking-lot roulette, live cameras still help. Conditions turn quickly with seabreeze storms and small east swells.

Still-useful camera sources

  • Surfline — continues to publish South Florida spot reports and cams (availability and paywalls change). Start from Surfline’s Florida / Broward / Palm Beach maps rather than old deep links, which rot often.
  • City livestreams — for example, Deerfield Beach publishes municipal beach livestream cameras on its official site. Other cities occasionally offer pier or beach cams; search the city site for “beach cam” for the current embed.

How to use cams like a local

  • Check wind direction and period, not just “pretty blue water.”
  • Morning cams lie less than mid-afternoon sea-breeze messes.
  • Verify lifeguard status and swim advisories on the same city’s site.

Want beach context beyond the feed? Read our Best Beaches in South Florida guide and the Haulover Beach Park bike route refresher.

Third-party camera URLs change. Prefer official Surfline spot pages and city websites over outdated bookmarks.

How To: Survive Shark Week in South Florida

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Updated for 2026. Discovery Channel’s Shark Week is entertainment. Living in South Florida means sharing the Atlantic and Gulf-side waters with sharks year-round. The good news: serious injuries are rare compared with how many people swim, surf, and fish here. The better news: simple habits cut risk further.

Perspective, not panic

Florida historically records more unprovoked shark bites than other U.S. states, with many incidents concentrated well north of Miami (notably around Volusia County’s surf hubs). Palm Beach County also appears regularly in long-term datasets. That does not mean every dip is dangerous — it means awareness belongs next to sunscreen on your mental checklist. For current statistics and science-based FAQ, the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File is the gold-standard public reference.

Practical habits that help

  • Swim near lifeguards when possible, and heed beach flags / closure signs.
  • Avoid dawn, dusk, and night swimming in murky water when you can choose better timing.
  • Skip swimming near active fishing piers or where people are landing catch.
  • Leave shiny jewelry in the car; some flashes can resemble fish scales.
  • Do not harass wildlife — spearfishing and shark-feeding spectacles belong to trained operators, not casual beach days.
  • If you see a shark, exit calmly and steadily; splashy panic helps no one.

If a rare encounter turns physical

Experts generally advise fighting back against a biting shark — aiming for sensitive areas such as the eyes and gills — and seeking immediate medical care for any bite. This is emergency guidance, not a sport. Call for help as soon as you are safe.

Local context

South Florida’s reefs, inlets, and baitfish runs are why sharks are here. Healthy shark populations are part of a healthy ocean. Respect the water the way you respect thunderstorms in July: common sense, not fear.

Keep reading

Safety notes are general public guidance. Beach conditions and wildlife activity change daily — follow lifeguards and local alerts.

The Python Challenge

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Updated 2026 — the Florida Python Challenge™ is an ongoing FWC program, not a one-off 2013 event.

Florida Python Challenge awareness
Credit: Pat Lynch – South Florida Water Management District (historic event imagery)

Invasive Burmese pythons remain a serious pressure on the Everglades food web. The Florida Python Challenge™, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) with partners such as the South Florida Water Management District, continues as a public awareness and removal competition in designated south Florida locations.

What the Challenge is (and is not)

It is a registered, rules-based event with required online training and a quiz. It is not a casual weekend snake hunt on random public land. Participants must follow FWC rules, location lists, and humane-removal guidelines. Always use official sources — not social-media rumors — before planning anything.

2026 snapshot (completed)

Per FWC announcements, the 2026 competition ran roughly July 10–19, 2026, with hundreds of registered participants and hundreds of pythons removed during the event window. Prize categories and partner locations (including Everglades National Park in recent years) are published by FWC and on FLPythonChallenge.org.

We are not reprinting prize amounts or next year’s calendar here as if they were permanent — they change. Check the official site for the current registration window, fees, training, and maps.

Year-round context for locals

FWC also discusses year-round removal pathways (including contractor programs). Regular folks should still treat wild pythons as a professional/conservation issue: do not improvise captures, and report sightings through official FWC channels when appropriate.

Exploring Everglades-edge outdoors the responsible way? Start with our locals’ things-to-do guide and give wildlife space.

Program existence verified via FWC / FLPythonChallenge.org materials around the 2026 event cycle. Always confirm live rules before participating.

Diana Nyad ends 103-mile swim attempt from Cuba to Key West

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cuba-key-west-swim

Swimmer Diana Nyad, who turns 63 on Wednesday, cancelled her fourth attempt to swim from Cuba to Key West on Tuesday morning, citing storm squalls and jellyfish. Last year’s attempt was thwarted by ocean swells, shoulder pain, and asthma.

The swimmer’s representative Mark Sollinger reported that Nyad had been pushed off course by an “extremely difficult” Gulf Stream. She was just 50 miles short of success.

The last successful swim from Cuba to Key West, Florida was accomplished by Susie Maroney in 1997, who completed the attempt in 23 hour, 47 minutes and used a shark cage for safety, according to the Los Angeles Times in 2011.

Instead of using a shark cage for protection, Diana Nyad was followed by kayaks with underwater electrical shields that emitted a frequency intended to repulse sharks.

A Reuter’s report claims that this was likely Nyad’s final attempt.

Something tells me that after four attempts, this will not be the last one!

5 ways to keep your dog cool during summer

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Evergreen how-to refresh for South Florida heat. Summer here is not a suggestion — it is a lifestyle. If you share your home with a dog, cooling strategies matter year-round, not just in July.

Puppy in kiddie pool
A shallow splash pool is still one of the easiest cool-downs.

This guide keeps the spirit of our original tips (yes, including Thunder the black lab’s early adventures) and updates them for modern South Florida living. It is not veterinary advice — if your dog shows heatstroke signs (heavy panting, collapse, bright-red gums, vomiting), seek emergency care immediately.

1. Controlled water play

Pools, bay-friendly beaches where dogs are allowed, or a clean kiddie pool in the shade all help. Supervise constantly, rinse after saltwater or treated pool water, and never force a nervous dog into deep water.

2. Hose, sprinkler, or misting fan

A soft mist beats a high-pressure blast. Early morning or evening sessions keep pavement cooler for paws. Skip icy shocks right after intense exercise.

Frozen dog treats
Frozen treats help — keep ingredients dog-safe.

3. Frozen treats (dog-safe only)

Freeze low-sodium broth, dog-safe fruits (skip grapes/raisins), or commercial lick mats. Portion small treats so you are not overfeeding calories for cooling’s sake.

4. Walk timing + paw protection

Asphalt in South Florida can burn paws by late morning. Walk at dawn or after sunset, test pavement with the back of your hand, and consider booties or grass routes. Cars heat-trap fast — never leave a dog unattended in a vehicle.

5. Shade, airflow, and indoor backup

Portable shade, cooling mats, and a fan aimed across (not roaring into) your dog help. AC remains the real hero on heat-advisory days. Grooming for double-coated breeds should follow a groomer’s advice — shaving is not always safer.

South Florida extras

  • Sand fleas and no-see-ums love dusk — pack prevention.
  • Freshwater lakes may have algae advisories; check local notices.
  • Hurricane season prep should include pet go-bags and carrier practice.

Heading outside together? Our things to do guide and beaches guide can help you pick dog-friendlier outings — always verify current pet rules.

Tips are general. Ask your veterinarian about breed-specific heat risks, especially for brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs.