Cape St Francis - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (May - September)

The Southern Hemisphere winter brings the most consistent, powerful swell to Cape St Francis. Deep lows in the South Indian Ocean churn out long-period SW groundswells, ensuring average wave heights above 3m and periods well into the 12-second range. The predominant wind during these months is from the west and southwest, blowing directly offshore at this NE-facing beach. This combination delivers clean, lined-up waves that break with authority on the points. However, winter also packs a punch: strong frontal winds can whip up chop and spoil the surface, so patience is key to catching the lulls. Expect firing conditions when a high-pressure system parks over the interior and the offshore breeze goes glassy.

Fair Surf Season (April & October)

Spring and autumn serve as transition windows, offering a mix of conditions. Swell energy is still substantial, averaging 2.7-2.8m with 11-12 second periods, but the wind patterns become more erratic. April sees an increase in westerly winds (offshore) but also more north-easterly onshore flow. October brings a similar tug-of-war between lingering winter lows and building summer ridge winds. These months require close attention to forecasts; when the stars align, you can score uncrowded, clean surf in the 1.5-2.5m range before the winds shift.

Low Surf Season (November - March)

Summer and early autumn deliver a drop in both average wave height and period. April-level averages of 2.4-2.6m mask a heavier reliance on inconsistent S-SW pulses, while the dominant wind regime shifts to easterly and ENE trade winds that blow directly onshore. This creates bumpy, wind-affected surf, especially during the afternoon sea-breeze cycle. The percentage of ideal wind days falls to around 25-30%, and even when the swell is solid, the quality can be compromised. Still, early morning sessions with a light offshore (S to WSW) and a long-period residual can turn the summer slop into glassy, rippable waves – just don't expect the dependable power of winter.

December: Summer Fun on Residual Swell

December is fully summer, with average wave height 2.5m and period 10.9s. Swell energy comes from the same SW (20.2%) and SSW (17.5%) angles, but the wave heights are smaller and shorter-period. Wind statistics are dominated by E (17.6%), ENE (10.5%), and WSW (18.5%). The offshore WSW breeze is still common enough to give clean windows, especially in the mornings. Ideal wind days hold at 30%. December surf is generally smaller and more playful – think waist-to-shoulder high waves with occasional head-high sets. It's a great month for longboarders and intermediate surfers. The key is to surf early before the easterly sea breeze kicks in. Look for a light SW wind and a residual SW swell from the last winter storm; those days deliver classic Cape St Francis glass.