Kirra - surf spot statistics

Kirra, Australia, is a world-class right-hand point break that thrives on consistent ground swells and favorable winds. The best months for surfing at Kirra are typically from March to July, when ground swell percentages peak, averaging 20-29% of the time, and wind conditions improve compared to other months. March stands out with 20% ground swell, 29% good wind conditions, and a solid 1.7m mean swell size, making it one of the most reliable months. April and May continue this trend, with ground swells holding at 20-25% and good wind conditions reaching 34-37%, while June and July still offer decent ground swell energy (28-29%) despite slightly smaller waves (1.5-1.6m). The worst conditions are from November to February, when ground swells drop below 16%, wind swell dominates (84-88%), and bad wind conditions peak at 73-81%. September to December sees the smallest waves (1.4-1.5m) and the lowest likelihood of clean conditions. For powerful, well-shaped waves and manageable winds, target mid-autumn to early winter (March-July), avoiding the summer months when onshore winds and weak swells prevail. Kirra’s legendary barrels are most likely in this window, especially when larger SE swells and lighter E/NE winds align.

January at Kirra offers consistent surf, with an average swell height of 1.6m and a solid period of 8.8s, providing good energy for quality waves. The predominant swell direction is from the east, with the highest frequency (15.43%) in the 1-1.5m range from the E, while larger swells (2-2.5m) are less common but still present, mostly from E and ESE. Cross-shore or light onshore winds (10-20kph) prevail from the NE and ENE, though only 21% of the time does the wind align ideally for surfing—typically lighter easterlies or variable breezes. Stronger winds (20-30kph) from SSE or SE can create choppy conditions, especially when paired with mid-sized swells. Smaller days (0.5-1m) are rare, and the spot rarely drops below 1m. Expect a mix of punchy beachbreak peaks and longer walls, best on mid-high tides when the swell is in the 1.5-2m range. Windswell from the east dominates, but quality groundswells from the ESE or SE deliver the cleanest rides. The key challenge is wind: mornings often have lighter winds, while afternoons tend to be breezier. Overall, January is reliable for intermediates to advanced surfers, with the best sessions occurring during offshore or light wind windows.