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.

October at this surf spot tends to offer fairly small and inconsistent conditions, with an average swell height of just 0.5m and a short period of 4.6s, indicating weak, wind-driven waves. The majority of swell comes from the NW, NNW, and SW directions, with the largest waves (1.5m+) being relatively rare—mostly occurring with NW, NNW, and WSW swells. However, even these bigger swells rarely exceed 2.5m, making this spot better suited for beginners or longboarders rather than high-performance surfing. Wind conditions are often less than ideal, with only 3% of days offering clean, offshore winds. The most common winds are from the S, SSW, and SW, which frequently create chop or sideshore conditions. Strong winds (over 30kph) are fairly common, particularly from the SW and SSW, further reducing surf quality. Overall, October here is marginal for surfing—expect small, inconsistent waves with frequent wind interference, though occasional NW or NNW swells may provide brief, rideable conditions for those willing to wait.