Bathtub Beach - surf spot statistics

Bathtub Beach in the United States offers variable surf conditions throughout the year, with the best months for surfers typically occurring in the late fall and early winter. November stands out as the most favorable month, featuring a higher percentage of ground swell (17%) and wind swell (58%), combined with the lowest likelihood of no swell (25%). The mean swell size peaks at 0.8 meters, and wind conditions are relatively better than in other months, though still challenging with 89% unfavorable winds. October and December also provide decent conditions, with October showing a good balance of ground swell (16%), wind swell (52%), and a mean swell size of 0.7 meters, while December mirrors November with 19% ground swell and 0.7-meter swells. Winter months like January and February see moderate ground swell (14%) but suffer from poor wind conditions (88-90% unfavorable), though the swell size holds at 0.6 meters. March sees a slight improvement with 19% ground swell and 0.7-meter waves but remains hindered by very high bad wind percentages (91%). The spring and summer months, particularly from May through August, are the least optimal, with minimal ground swell (0-9%), high percentages of no swell (52-92%), and very poor wind conditions (94-99%). September shows a slight recovery as fall approaches, but it’s not as consistent as the late fall and early winter months. Overall, surfers will find the most reliable waves from October through December, with November being the standout month despite the persistently challenging wind conditions.

August at Bathtub Beach typically offers small, mellow conditions suitable for beginners or longboarders rather than high-performance surfing. The average swell height is a modest 0.4m with a decent period of 7.7s, suggesting some consistency but minimal power. The majority of waves come from the ENE (58.9% of all waves), E (25.9%), and NE (7.7%), aligning well with the beach’s orientation for mostly onshore or slightly cross-shore conditions. However, wave energy remains low, with 82.9% under 0.5m and only 1.6% reaching 1m or more. Wind conditions are generally less favorable, with just 2% ideal for surfing—mostly light ENE to ESE breezes under 20kph. Stronger winds (20-30kph) from the E/ESE occur roughly 10-15% of the time, further limiting clean sessions. Overall, expect knee-high sloppy waves most days, with rare chest-high pulses when ENE swell combines with lighter winds. Advanced surfers will find it underwhelming, but it’s a forgiving spot for novices or cruisy sessions.