Urbiztondo Beach • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (November - February)

The northwest Pacific settles into a winter rhythm as the Siberian high strengthens and the northeast monsoon takes hold. Urbiztondo's north-west exposure lines up perfectly with this pattern, producing the most consistent and rideable surf of the year. Monthly averages climb into the 2-3ft (0.6-0.9m) range, periods stretch through the 7.8-8.1s window, and the swell direction locks heavily into the NNW quadrant - often 83-91 percent of the total. This is punchy, rideable monsoon windswell more than long-period groundswell, but it has real push. Wind quality is not perfect, with N and NNW breezes frequently in the mix; when the wind swings into the SSW/SW/WSW/W offshore window, the beach turns glassy and the waves are at their best.

Fair Surf Season (March and September - October)

March is a downshift out of the northeast monsoon. NNW swell still accounts for more than 80 percent of the wave energy, but the average height drops to 1.5-2ft (0.5m) and the period shrinks, making it less consistent. September and October are the reverse image: the southwest monsoon is breaking down, and the first pulses of NNW swell reappear alongside a wide spread of W/WNW/NW energy. Surf is peaky and occasionally disorganized, but with ideal wind near 23 percent and periods building through 7.7s, there are plenty of clean, fun-sized sessions to be found.

Low Surf Season (April - August)

From late April through August, the southwest monsoon dominates the South China Sea. Swell direction rotates to WSW, W and SW, while May bottoms out at just 1ft (0.3m) with a 5.5s period. Wind is dominated by strong S and SSW airflow - sometimes in the offshore window, but often accompanied by heavy tropical rain and typhoon-season instability. The surf is small, soft and mostly groveling; only the occasional tropical cyclone or strong monsoon surge wakes the beach up. August offers the highest ideal wind percentage of the year at 31 percent, but the ongoing WSW windswell and wet, stormy weather keep it marginal.