Badoc Island Lefts - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (September & March)

The most favorable windows at Badoc Island Lefts occur during the transitional months of September and March, when the winter northeast swell machine is still active yet the trade winds begin to relax enough to allow a higher frequency of offshore SSW to SW breezes. In September, the average swell height hovers around 1.2m with a period of 7.5s, and the wind blows offshore nearly 43% of the time – a rare alignment. March offers similar dynamics: 1.1m waves from the NNE (55% of the total) coupled with 17% ideal wind. While not pumping, these months deliver the most rideable, clean conditions for a left that demands both a north component in the swell and a southern component in the wind.

Fair Surf Season (October – February & April – May)

From October through February, the northeast monsoon pumps consistent NNE and NE swell into the coastline, with average heights ranging from 1.5m in February to a hefty 2.2m in December. However, the joy is tempered by dominant NE to ENE winds that blow onshore the vast majority of the time – ideal wind percentages drop to between 4% and 15%. The result is often lumpy, wind-affected surf that requires a keen eye for the rare lull in the trades. April and May flip the script: offshore winds become more frequent (up to 36% in May), but the swell shifts southward, losing size and power. Waves drop to 0.7-0.9m on average, with a dominant SW component that struggles to wrap into the NNE-facing beach. Fun-sized days do occur, but consistency is poor.

Low Surf Season (June – August)

The summer months of June, July, and August are the low point for Badoc Island Lefts. While offshore winds from the SSW and SW blow an impressive 46-49% of the time, the swell direction is overwhelmingly from the SW and WSW – a complete mismatch for the exposed northeast beach. Average heights remain modest (1.0-1.3m) and periods sit in the average 6.8-7.4s range, but the waves rarely break with any power or shape. Only weak, short-period wraparound energy from the NNE (less than 3% of total swell) offers any hope, making this period best suited for travel elsewhere or a total gear reset.

March: A Shift in the Air

March marks the beginning of the transition period. The average swell height drops to 1.1m and period to 7.4s, but the NNE direction still commands 55.7% of the swell, and NE adds 26.4%. This means the waves are smaller but still from the right direction. The important change is in the wind: offshore S to SW breezes now blow 17% of the time, and the onshore NE trades ease slightly (16.5% from NE, down from 20% in February). The lighter wind speeds (0-20 kph dominate) make for cleaner surfaces when the swell does arrive. March delivers fun, rippable lefts on the sets that sneak through, especially when a cold front pushes down the South China Sea and brings a pulse of longer-period energy.