Borkum - surf spot statistics

Borkum, Germany, is a surf spot with predominantly wind-driven conditions, as the data shows very little ground swell throughout the year. The best months for surfing are typically late autumn and winter, specifically from October to December, when wind swell percentages peak around 38-44%, and mean swell size reaches 0.5-0.6m. However, even during these months, the likelihood of good wind conditions remains extremely low (only 2-3% of the time), meaning cross-onshore or cross-offshore winds are rare, and most days feature less favorable wind directions. From January to February, wind swell remains relatively consistent (43-47%), but the poor wind conditions (98% bad) and small swell size (0.6m) limit quality surfing opportunities. Spring and summer (March to August) see a significant drop in wind swell frequency (24-36%) and smaller waves (0.4-0.5m), making these months far less ideal. September marks a slight improvement as wind swell increases to 29%, though conditions remain marginal. Overall, Borkum is a spot for committed surfers who can handle onshore wind chop, with October to December offering the highest chance of rideable waves, albeit still inconsistent and small by global standards. The lack of ground swell and consistently unfavorable winds make it a challenging spot for high-performance surfing, better suited for beginners in small waves or windsurfers/kitesurfers who thrive in strong onshore conditions.

February at this spot in Borkum tends to offer relatively small and inconsistent surf, with an average swell height of just 0.6m and a short period of 4.7s, which generally results in weak, mushy waves. The swell direction is predominantly from the NW to NNW, contributing to the majority of waves, though they mostly fall in the 0-0.5m and 0.5-1m ranges, rarely exceeding 1.5m. Only about 2% of the time does the wind align favorably for surfing, meaning onshore or cross-shore winds are more common. Wind speeds frequently range between 20-40kph, particularly from the SW to W sectors, which can further degrade wave quality by creating choppy conditions. Overall, February is a challenging month for surfers here, with few high-quality days and mostly small, wind-affected waves. Only very patient or beginner surfers will find occasional opportunities, but advanced surfers will likely be underwhelmed.