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Originally Posted by tdemille
I don't mean specific beaches per se, although that would be fine, but more interested in the best region.
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When the wind is on it is all good!
It would seem the Florida Keys have the most consistent wind throughout the year. Unless you take a boat out to the reef tract miles offshore the riding is primarily sheltered flatwater.
The east coast seems to have more wind that the west coast on average throughout the year. The northeastern portion of the state has a bit more wind than the southeastern portion. The lower southeastern area, say Broward County south to Miami has more choppy water due to the protection offered by the Bahamian plateau. The northern portion of the southeast coast may have more frequent dewater groundswells. This swell pattern continues northward along the east coast particularly after you travel north of the Bahamas.
The west coast has some great frontal winds from westerly directions when strong cold fronts move through during the later fall, winter and earlier part of spring. Lots of guys commute from the east coast to Marco Island up through Tampa when strong fronts ease through. Just like some guys commute to the east coast when easterly winds are moving. Much of the west coast has lower population densities than SE Florida and urban areas up the east coast to the north. There are some exceptions to this crowding trend, e.g. Naples during prime tourist season. The rest of the year, the guys in parts of the west coast ride with the larger more efficient kites that are available today and do OK. The area north of Tampa drops off in population and even coastal roads south of the Panhandle from maps info. The Panhandle has great wide sandy beaches and lower populations as well aside from some prime tourist areas in season.
There are a LOT of generalities in the above statements and as with any general saying there will always be exceptions. Looking for more specific wind info, checkout the wind archives at ikitesurf.com for past years at locations around the entire state.
Most of the state languishes through much of summer aside from thermal winds and the odd potential kiter smashing tropical system.