Map
South Point
Today's Surf Conditions at South Point
Spot Conditions Map
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Today's Surf & Wind Forecast (Hourly)
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Spot Overview & Description
Nestled in the lee of a windswept point, South Point offers a solid, left-hand reef break that serves as the quintessential relief valve when North Point turns too heavy. The wave rolls over an uneven reef bottom, unfolding into a sloping wall that rewards intermediate surfers with long, drawn-out carves and stylish roundhouse turns. While it may lack the pristine quality of neighboring spots, South Point truly comes alive during a big Southwest swell paired with light winds, smoothing out the face and making every ride feel manageable and forgiving. The wave responds best to Southwest and Northwest swells, comfortably handling four-foot (1.2-meter) surf. Tidal preferences lean toward low to mid or high tides for optimal shape, and a Southeast wind provides the cleanest, most lined-up conditions. The primary action is left, demanding patience to time your drop as the swell lines up just right. For beginners, the inside bay harbors Hussa’s, a sand-covered reef that delivers a gentle, forgiving peak for learning the ropes. That same zone also offers a handy assist for point surfers paddling back out after a long session. A note on caution: South Point carries a somber history, with a fatal shark attack recorded in 2010, so exercise extra vigilance during low-light hours, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Best Surf Season & Climatology
Best Surf Season (March - May)
Autumn brings the most consistent combination of quality groundswell and favorable offshore winds to South Point. As the Southern Ocean storms intensify, we see a shift toward more westerly swell angles (WSW, W, WNW) that align perfectly with the WNW-facing beach. Average wave heights sit in the fun to solid range of 1.9-2.3m with long periods averaging 12.5-12.9s, producing powerful, rippable waves. Offshore winds from the ENE through SE quadrant blow clean over the break 25-26% of the time during these months, creating the kind of groomed, hollow conditions that make this spot truly shine. This is the window for the wave of the season.
Fair Surf Season (June - August)
Winter delivers the biggest and most powerful swell of the year, peaking at an average 2.8m and 13.3s in July. The sheer energy from deep Southern Ocean lows is impressive, with a notable increase in WSW and W swell (often up to 30-40% of total energy). However, the trade-off is a higher frequency of onshore winds from the WSW through NW that trash the wave quality. Ideal offshore conditions drop to just 16-17%. When the stars align — a long-period W swell with a crisp SO morning breeze — South Point can hold onto some epic, heavy barrels. But expect more rough and windy days than glassy ones.
Low Surf Season (September - February)
Spring and summer see a distinct drop in average swell height (1.8-2.2m) and a rotation toward more southerly swell angles (SSW, SW) that are not optimal for the WNW exposure. The predominant wind also shifts, with consistent sea breezes from the S and SSE often creating onshore conditions. While there are occasional windows with offshore ENE winds and a good SW groundswell that wraps in, the quality and reliability are significantly lower. The wind is ideal only 14-18% of the time. This is the time to watch forecasts closely and pick the rare gems, but expect many small or messy days.
Detailed Surf Information for South Point
Detailed Surf Forecast
Access our detailed 8-day swell and wind forecast charts for South Point with tidal graphs, period ranges, and daily forecast text summaries.
Swell & Wind Statistics
Explore historical swell consistency, wave heights, and offshore wind windows month-by-month, compiled from over 40 years of data.
Historical Surf Report
Browse the historical database archives to view past wave reports and understand spot climatology during specific years and months.
