Casino Pier - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The brunt of the North Atlantic storm track aims directly at Casino Pier from October through March, delivering average swell heights of 1.2-1.3m and periods that frequently push into the 7-8 second range. During these months, the dominant swell directions rotate through the eastern quadrants (ENE, E, ESE, SE), which align best with the east-facing beach. While offshore wind frequencies hover around 27-35%, the combination of stronger, longer-period groundswells and west-to-northwest wind events (WSW, W, WNW, NW) can produce epic, pumping days – especially in December and January when the jet stream is most active. Look for the classic winter setup: a deep low off the coast, followed by brisk offshore flow, to score clean, hollow waves at the pier.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)

These transitional months offer a mixed bag. April and May see average swell heights drop to 1.0-1.2m, with the wave period still hanging around 7.2-7.4s. The percentage of offshore wind improves slightly (29-35%), but the swell becomes increasingly dominated by south and southeast directions (S, SSE, SE) – a less optimal angle for the east-facing pier, resulting in more crumbly, less powerful waves. September marks the first real pulse of autumn energy: average height climbs back to 1.1m, period jumps to 8.3s, and the swell direction spreads back toward the east (ESE, E, SE). Offshore wind is still decent at 36%, making it a prime month for catching the first decent sets before winter fully arrives.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

The summer months at Casino Pier are characterized by small, weak surf. Average heights bottom out at 0.8-0.9m, and while the offshore wind frequency peaks at 44-49% (thanks to building southwest and west winds), the swell is overwhelmingly from the south and southeast (SSE, SE, S) – not ideal for the east-facing orientation. The wave periods remain mediocre (6.9-7.5s), meaning most days produce nothing more than knee-high, wind-affected slop. However, occasional tropical storms or hurricanes can spin up short-period east swell, offering brief windows of fun-sized, groveling waves for those willing to wait out the long periods of flatness.

December: Holiday Swells

December closes the year with consistent winter surf. Average swell height is 1.3m, period 7.1s. Swell direction is once again dominated by the southern and eastern quadrants: S (10.1%), SSE (7.5%), E (7.6%), and ENE (5.2%) are the primary contributors, but there is also a significant increase in swell from the west and northwest (W 5.8%, WNW 6.6%, NW 6.1%, NNW 6.7%) – which are not ideal for the east-facing beach. Fortunately, the east components remain strong enough to produce decent waves most of the time. Offshore wind frequency is 32%, with WNW (15.8%), NW (11.9%), and W (12.1%) dominating the wind rose – a very favorable pattern. The combination of strong low-pressure systems and these westerly winds creates frequent clean, powerful surf days. December can be cold and windy, but the waves are often worth braving the chill. Look for long-period east swells accompanied by offshore west winds for epic, pumping sessions at the pier.