Kincardine - surf spot statistics

Kincardine, Canada, is primarily a windswell-dominated spot with occasional ground swell influence, particularly in late summer and fall. The best months for surfing are typically from September through December, when swell consistency and size improve. September stands out with a noticeable increase in ground swell (11%) compared to other months, while October to December see the highest wind swell percentages (80-85%) and minimal no-swell days (7-13%). Swell size also peaks in December with a mean of 1.5m, offering the most substantial waves of the year. However, wind conditions are generally poor year-round, with bad winds (onshore or cross-shore) dominating 85-93% of the time across all months. Late fall (October-November) provides a slightly better balance, with 11% good wind days—still low but marginally better than other periods. Summer (June-August) is the least favorable due to smaller swells (0.6-0.7m) and higher no-swell likelihood. For dedicated surfers, the shoulder seasons (September-early December) are the best bet, despite the challenging winds, as they deliver the most consistent and sizable waves. Winter (December-February) brings bigger swells but worse wind conditions, making sessions rare and highly conditions-dependent. If you can time sessions around the occasional clean wind day in late fall, that’s your best shot at scoring decent waves in Kincardine.

August at this surf spot tends to offer small to very small conditions, with an average swell height of 0.7m and a decent period of 7.2s, providing some rideable energy. The most consistent swell directions come from the SE to SSE, which contribute the highest percentage of waves in the 0.5-1.5m range, but the majority are under 1m. Larger swells (1.5m+) are rare, with only occasional contributions from E and ESE directions. Wind conditions are mixed; while SW and SSW winds dominate, they often blow at 10-30kph, which can create choppy or cross-shore conditions. Clean offshore winds (ideal for surfing) occur only 10% of the time, mostly from NW to NNW directions. Surfers should watch for small, short-interval days with light winds or rare larger swells with favorable wind alignment. Overall, August delivers mostly small, rideable but not powerful waves, requiring patience and flexible expectations.