Broadway Beach - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The heart of the winter season brings the most consistent swell to Broadway Beach. As the North Atlantic storm track ramps up, long-period groundswells from the NW and WNW become more frequent, although the south-facing orientation of the beach means these swells often arrive at a less than ideal angle. However, the occasional south-easterly or southerly component from lingering low pressure systems can deliver clean lines. Wind patterns also improve, with northerly offshore breezes (N, NNW, NW) becoming more prevalent, especially after cold fronts pass. This window offers the best chance of rideable, shoulder-high surf with a punchy period.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

The transitional months of April and September see a mixed bag. Swell energy is lower, but the wind becomes more variable. In April, the tail end of winter still brings some NW swell, while September sees the first hints of autumn activity. However, onshore breezes dominate much of the time, limiting quality. When a low pressure system stalls off the coast, it can spin up clean SSE swell with lighter winds – these are the days to watch.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer months are the most challenging for surf at Broadway Beach. The swell window is dominated by short-period, small windswell from the east and southeast, with average heights rarely exceeding 0.5m. The prevailing wind is from the south-southwest through southwest, which is directly onshore for a south-facing beach, creating bumpy, choppy conditions. The wave period averages around 6-7 seconds, offering little power. While early mornings can occasionally see light northerly breezes, the window for clean surf is extremely narrow. This is the season to focus on longboard or log sessions in small, weak waves, or just enjoy the beach.

March: Transition and Hope

March brings subtle shifts. Average swell height remains 0.7m, but the period ticks up to 6.8s, hinting at more organized swell. Swell direction becomes a messy mix – the biggest contributor is SSE (11.0%), followed by E (10.5%) and ESE (10.3%). The E and ESE swells are mostly short-period and small (0-1m), while SSE and S (9.9%) have a higher percentage in the 0.5-1m range. Winds are ideal 8% of the time. The dominant wind shifts northward, with NW (12.3%) and WNW (12.4%) still common, but SSW (7.4%) and S (7.1%) onshore breezes are also frequent. March is a month of waiting – the first warm fronts can bring light south winds that ruin the surface, but the last cold fronts can deliver fresh north winds and a bump in swell. Look for a clearing wind after a front to clean up the lingering WNW swell, or a low tracking close to the coast to produce a sweet S-SSE swell that hits Broadway perfectly.