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.

May at Bathtub Beach tends to offer small, relatively weak surf, with an average swell height of just 0.5m and a moderate period of 8.1s. The majority of waves come from the ENE (65.52% of all waves), with most being in the 0-1.5m range, making this a predominantly ankle-to-knee-high spot with occasional waist-high sets. Larger waves exceeding 1.5m are rare (only 0.53% from ENE). Wind conditions are less favorable for surfers, as just 6% of the time the wind is ideal—typically light offshore (WNW-NNW) or glassy. However, ENE-E winds (often onshore at this spot) dominate, blowing at 10-30kph over 30% of the time, which can create chop and reduce wave quality. The best windows for clean surf will be during the infrequent lighter winds from the W-NW, but expect mostly small, weak surf with occasional rideable days when ENE swell combines with favorable wind. Advanced surfers may find it underwhelming, while beginners can use the smaller days for practice.