Nahoon Reef • Statistics for February

February: Maximum East-Southeast Swell, Trades Still Howling

February is statistically the best month of the year for swell direction at Nahoon Reef. The E/ESE/SE/SSE window accounts for a massive 58.8 per cent of all swell energy, a whisker more than January, and heights average 6ft (1.8m) with a period of 10.3s. The E component alone contributes 14.4 per cent, with a meaty 8.0 per cent in the 1.5-2m range and another 5.3 per cent in the 2-2.5m range. That is proper, rippable reef surf. The S/SSW mix is still present at around 34 per cent, so there is no shortage of waves. The problem remains the wind. ENE at 21.2 per cent and NE at 18.7 per cent dominate again, and the favourable offshore directions only combine for 16 per cent of the time. January's early-morning glass and passing westerly changes are the key to making the most of this month's perfect swell angles.

The warmer months deliver steamy air temperatures averaging 23.4°C, and the ocean is at its warmest for the year at 22.1°C. Rainfall at 3.70mm/day often arrives as afternoon thunderstorms, so a dawn patrol strategy is almost essential for finding clean conditions at Nahoon.