Ditch Plains - surf spot statistics

Ditch Plains, located on the east coast of the United States, is a surf spot primarily influenced by wind swells, with ground swells playing a much smaller role in wave formation. Throughout the year, wind swells dominate, accounting for 71% to 92% of the swell activity, while ground swells range from just 3% to 23%, peaking in September. The mean swell size remains relatively consistent, averaging around 1.0 to 1.2 meters, with slightly smaller waves in late summer (August-September) and slightly larger waves in winter and early spring. Wind conditions are generally poor, with bad onshore winds prevailing 79% to 89% of the time, though they improve slightly in summer, particularly in July and August, when good wind conditions reach around 20-21%. The best time to surf Ditch Plains is from late summer to early fall, specifically August and September, when ground swell contributions increase, wind conditions are slightly more favorable, and wave size remains decent. While summer (June-August) offers more frequent lighter winds, the swells tend to be smaller and less powerful. Winter months bring slightly larger waves but suffer from consistently poor wind conditions, making sessions less ideal. Overall, surfers should target late summer and early fall for the best balance of swell quality and wind conditions at this spot.

April at Ditch Plains offers surfable conditions, though they are somewhat inconsistent. The average swell height is 1.2m with a decent period of 7.5s, providing rideable waves, though they tend to be on the smaller side. The most consistent swells come from the S, SSE, and SE directions, with a significant portion (over 9% from S) producing waves in the 1-2.5m range, offering the best opportunities for surfers. ENE and ESE swells also contribute occasionally, particularly in the 1-2m range. Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 15% of the time being ideal for surfing. Offshore or light winds (0-20kph) are most common from the W and NW directions, but prevailing onshore winds from the S and SW often create choppy or less clean conditions. Expect small to moderate waves, with the best sessions occurring when southerly swells coincide with lighter NW winds—though these setups are relatively rare in April. Overall, it’s a month for patient surfers who can capitalize on the occasional clean, rideable days.