The Alley • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (April - July)

The Alley's northeast-facing exposure means this window is about alignment, not just size. Through April, May, June and July, the average wave period climbs from 8.6 to 8.9 seconds and the wind is ideal between 52 and 66 percent of the time. Southerly and southwesterly winds, true offshores for this stretch, become the dominant pattern as winter high-pressure systems push across eastern Australia. You get cleaner 2-4ft (0.6-1.2m) surf with limited cross-shore chop, and consistent east/southeast energy keeps the break alive. This is the most dependable quality window of the year.

Fair Surf Season (August - September)

The late-winter/early-spring transition is still surfable, but the window is more hit-or-miss. August keeps ideal wind percentages near 52 percent, and September still holds some good days, but shorter periods (7.8s) and an increase in northwest/north-northwest winds signal the return of spring. Expect lower-energy 2-3ft (0.5-1m) waves with occasional punchy 3-4ft (0.9-1.2m) pulses when the synoptic setup aligns.

Low Surf Season (October - March)

From October through March, The Alley trades quality for quantity. The surrounding seas become dominated by short-period easterly windswell, periods drop to 7.3-8.0s, and the wind consistency clock flips. Ideal surfing winds drop to just 23-35 percent of the time as the northeast trade-wind regime and summer convective showers take over. These are often the biggest looking days, but with onshore/cross-shore energy and messy 2-4ft (0.6-1.2m) surf, the wave quality suffers. March is the bridge month and notably better than the summer core, but it is still not in the same league as the autumn/winter months.