Kirra - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (March - June)

Autumn and early winter deliver the most consistent combination of quality swell and favourable winds at Kirra. The dominant East and East-Southeast trade-wind swell trains are at their strongest, with average periods climbing from 8.5s in March to 8.9s by June – translating into punchy, rideable waves that wrap beautifully around the point. Meanwhile, the percentage of ideal offshore wind (from South to Southwest) peaks above 60% in April and May, as high-pressure systems settle over the Tasman Sea and funnel clean, light breezes along the coast. This is the sweet spot for long, rippable walls and the occasional pumping day when a deeper low pushes swell heights into the 2m+ range. Expect fun, head-high sets with plenty of barrel potential when the period stretches past 10s.

Fair Surf Season (July - September)

Winter brings a subtle shift: swell heights dip slightly to an average of 0.9m, but the wave period remains solid at 8.5-8.9s, offering powerful, long-period groundswells from the East and Southeast. The ideal wind percentage drops from 56% in July to 38% in September, as more frequent northerly and nor'easterly flows (onshore for Kirra's north-facing orientation) begin to pick up. Still, when the synoptic setup aligns – often after the passage of a cold front – we see clear skies and a stubborn southwesterly stream that grooms the surface to perfection. Those windows can produce glassy, firing conditions on the sets that do wrap in, though the overall consistency takes a hit as spring approaches.

Low Surf Season (October - February)

From spring through summer, Kirra battles the highest frequency of onshores. The ideal wind percentage bottoms out at 33-39%, with northerly and north-northeasterly winds (bad for the spot) dominating the charts – often exceeding 40% of all observations in December and January. Swell periods are at their shortest (7.3-8.0s), meaning the waves are often average, choppy, and lack the power to wrap cleanly. Average heights hover around 1.0m, with the occasional fun-sized day when a tropical cyclone in the Coral Sea sends a pulse of Easterly swell. But more often than not, you are groveling on small, wind-affected lines. The best months inside this low season are February and March transitions, where the wind begins to swing favourable and periods start to climb.

July: Winter Consistency

Midwinter sees the average swell dip to 0.9m, but the period holds strong at 8.9s. The ideal wind percentage drops to 56%, as onshore northerly winds begin to increase (N, NNE, NW, NNW now combine for nearly 25%). Swell direction shifts even more to the southeast: Southeast (23.2%) and East-Southeast (20.8%) lead, with East (17.2%) backing off. This is a fine month for groundswell, but the wind can be fickle. The best sessions come during the frequent high-pressure drifts that deliver light southerly winds. Wave heights stay mostly in the 0.5-1.5m range (small to fun), but the long period often packs a surprising punch. Look for days when a deep Southern Ocean storm sends energy towards the Coral Sea – those can push 2m+.