Sunset Reef • Statistics for January

January: Summer Offshore Winds and Southern Ocean Groundswell

January is classic high summer at Sunset Reef. The average swell sits around 2.3m (7.5ft) with an 11.1s period, placing it in the lower end of the powerful long-period category. The swell rose is dominated by SSW and SW energy, with SSW and SW combining for over 45% of observations, plus a solid S component near 10.6%. Most of the meaningful waves arrive in the 1.5-2.5m (5-8ft) range, with a scattering of bigger sets from the southwest. Wind-wise, the Cape Doctor is in full force: SE and SSE winds together make up more than 50% of the month's observations, and a large share of that blows at 30-50kph. Because those directions are offshore for Sunset's west-northwest-facing orientation, the surface can be brilliant, but the strong, gusty nature of the wind means truly clean conditions occur only around 10% of the time. Water temperature is 18.2°C, air temperature averages 20.0°C, and rainfall is low at 0.39mm per day, so boots and hoods are not needed, but patience is.