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.

December at Duranbah offers varied but generally surfable conditions, with an average swell height of 1.4m and a decent period of 8.4s. The best swells come from the E to SE quadrant, with the most consistent waves falling in the 1-2m range (E and ENE directions dominate, contributing significantly to rideable days). Larger swells (2m+) are less frequent but do occur, mostly from E and ESE directions. Wind conditions are the biggest challenge, with only 16% of days providing ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds (typically from W to NW). Onshore winds from NE to SE are common and can degrade wave quality, especially when combined with stronger gusts (20-30kph). Surfers should watch for days with E/ENE swell and W/NW winds for cleaner, more organized waves. While not epic, December can deliver fun, mid-sized sessions with occasional high-quality peaks when conditions align.