Duranbah - surf spot statistics

Duranbah in Australia is a surf spot with consistently rideable conditions year-round, but the best months for quality waves and favorable winds fall between May and August. During this period, the percentage of ground swell increases significantly, peaking at 30% in July, while wind swells decrease, providing cleaner and more powerful waves. The average swell size remains steady around 1.5m to 1.7m, offering solid but manageable waves for experienced surfers. Wind conditions also improve in these months, with the highest likelihood of good winds in June and July (36% favorable). Outside this window, from September to April, the spot becomes more wind-affected with a higher proportion of wind swells (up to 88% in November) and less ideal wind conditions (over 80% bad winds in summer months). Swell size slightly drops from September onward, averaging 1.4m, making the waves less consistent and powerful. If you’re looking for the best balance of swell quality and wind, late autumn to mid-winter (May to July) is the prime time, while summer months (December to February) offer smaller, more chopped-up conditions with frequent onshore winds.

April at Duranbah offers decent surf conditions with a mix of smaller and more powerful swells. The average swell height is 1.6m with a solid 9.3s period, providing good energy for intermediate to advanced surfers. Most swells come from the E to SE (combined 40%+ in the 1-2.5m range), delivering clean, well-organized waves, while ENE and ESE directions contribute consistent mid-sized swells. However, only 26% of winds are ideal (light offshore or sideshore), primarily from the W to NW. Stronger onshore SE to SSE winds (10-30kph) occur around 20% of the time, which can create choppy conditions. Expect larger swells (2m+) in the E-SE sector (~15% of days), offering punchier waves, while smaller days (0.5-1.5m) are frequent but manageable. The spot handles most wind directions due to its exposure, but quality peaks with lighter W/NW winds. Mid-range swells (1.5-2m) from ESE-E are the sweet spot for performance surfing.