Aramoana - surf spot statistics

Aramoana, New Zealand, is a surf spot with consistent swell year-round, offering primarily ground swells with a mix of wind swells and almost no days without waves. The best months for surfing here are from March to August, when ground swell dominance is highest (70-75%), swell sizes are larger (mean 2.0-2.3m), and conditions are most favorable for surfers seeking powerful, clean waves. However, wind conditions are generally challenging throughout the year, with only 15-18% of days having good offshore or cross-shore winds—most days (82-85%) experience onshore or unfavorable winds. The worst months are December and January, when ground swells drop below 60%, wind swells increase, and wave size decreases slightly (1.8-1.9m). While winter months (May-August) provide the biggest and most consistent ground swells, surfers should be prepared for strong onshore winds and colder water. Late summer and early autumn (February-April) can be a reasonable compromise, offering slightly better wind odds while still maintaining decent swell size and quality. Advanced surfers will find the most opportunities in this window, but patience is required to score the rare days with clean conditions.

In May, Aramoana experiences consistent surf conditions with an average swell height of 2.2m and a solid period of 12.0s, indicating powerful, well-spaced waves. The swell is predominantly from the southwest to south, with the highest frequency of rideable waves (1.5-2.5m) coming from the SW direction (20.72% combined). Larger swells (over 2.5m) are relatively rare but occur most often from the SW and SSW. Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 16% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds for surfing. Northerly and westerly winds dominate, frequently bringing stronger onshore or cross-shore gusts (10-50kph), which can disrupt wave quality. Surfers will find the best sessions when SW swells coincide with lighter winds, offering clean, powerful waves, though these conditions are less common. Overall, expect punchy, mid-sized waves with variable wind interference in May.