Broken Head - surf spot statistics

Broken Head in Australia offers surfable conditions year-round, but the best months for surfing generally fall between March and August. During this period, the swell quality improves with a higher percentage of ground swell (peaking at 32% in July) compared to wind swell, which dominates the rest of the year. The mean swell size remains relatively consistent, averaging around 1.5m to 1.6m, providing reliable waves without being overly large. Wind conditions also become more favorable from March onward, with the likelihood of good winds increasing to around 20% in March and peaking at 38% in June. The worst wind conditions decrease from 80% in March to 62% in June, making mid-year the most reliable time for clean surf. Outside this window, particularly from September to February, wind conditions deteriorate, with bad winds occurring over 75% of the time, and swells are predominantly wind-driven, reducing wave quality. While summer months like December and January still see decent swell size (1.4m to 1.5m), the high percentage of wind swell (over 80%) and poor wind conditions (over 84%) make them less ideal for surfing. Overall, late autumn to early winter (May to July) stands out as the prime period, offering the best balance of ground swell, manageable wind conditions, and consistent wave height.

April at Broken Head offers consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.6m and a solid period of 9.4s, providing good energy for rideable waves. The swell direction is predominantly from the east to southeast, with the highest frequency in the 1-1.5m range (12% from E, 10.6% from ESE). Larger swells (1.5-2.5m) are also relatively common, particularly from the E and ESE directions, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers. Cross-shore or light onshore winds (ESE to SE) occur frequently, but only 27% of the time are conditions ideal—typically when winds are light or offshore. Stronger winds (20-30kph+) from the S/SSE can create choppy conditions. Expect the best sessions early in the day before SE trade winds pick up. Overall, April delivers decent waves, though patience is needed for cleaner, wind-friendly sessions.