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.

November at this surf spot offers predominantly small to very small surf, with an average swell height of just 0.6m and a short period of 4.7s, indicating weak, mushy waves lacking power. The most consistent swell direction is from the NNW, contributing the highest percentage of waves over 1m (peaking at 2.5m in rare cases), but even then, most waves fall below 1.5m. Wind conditions are rarely ideal—only 2% of the time—with the best chances occurring when winds are light (below 20kph) and offshore. However, strong onshore winds (SSW, SW, and WSW) are frequent, creating choppy or blown-out conditions. For surfers, this means patience is key: wait for NNW swells paired with minimal ENE-E winds for the rare clean sessions. Most days will be marginal, suited for beginners or longboarders in knee-high waves, while experienced surfers will find limited opportunities for quality rides. Wind direction matters greatly here—avoid the dominant S-SW winds, which degrade already weak swells. Overall, November is inconsistent and often frustrating for performance surfing, but occasional small, clean days can still provide fun sessions if timed well.