Long Sands - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life from October through March, delivering the most consistent and powerful swell to Long Sands. Average wave heights hover between 1.2m and 1.3m, with periods often in the 7.5-7.8s range – punchy and rideable, with plenty of storm-driven pulses pushing through. The wind regime plays heavily in our favor during these months, with dominant flow from the WSW and W blowing directly offshore across the EN-E facing beach. This is prime time – expect clean conditions on the best days thanks to ideal offshore winds blowing 29-37% of the time, funneling in long, grindy lines off the North Sea fetch.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

Spring and early autumn deliver a mixed bag with average swell heights of 1.0m (April) and 0.9m (September) and periods around 7.3s and 6.7s. The North Atlantic storm track begins to weaken, but occasional pulses still sneak through, especially in September when the hurricane-tinged leftovers can add a bit of life. Offshore-friendly winds – WSW and W – are still present roughly 25-30% of the time, though wind directions become more variable. You’ll find sessionable waves, but consistency drops and you’ll need to pick your windows carefully – a solid mid-range SW to W breeze can make all the difference.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer settles in with a whimper at Long Sands. Average wave heights plummet to 0.7-0.9m and periods drop into the 5.9-6.7s range – small, choppy, and often frustrating for anything but a log. The predominant swell shifts to shorter, locally generated windswell from the NNE, a direction that’s actually good for our spot, but the lack of consistent energy from the Atlantic leaves most days in the knee-to-waist fun-size range. Offshore wind frequencies also dip to 22-26%, making clean waves a rare treat. With the long summer days, you can still find a wave if you’re patient – but don’t expect to score anything epic.

November: Peak Season

November solidifies its place as a top month – average swell 1.3m, period 7.7s, and the highest ideal wind frequency of the year at 37%. Swell directions are dominated by NNE (11.2%) and NNW (10.4%) – both favorable, with N (7.8%) also significant. The wind is heavily from W (13.2%) and WSW (12.5%), ensuring clean conditions. The NAO often stays positive, funneling storm after storm toward the UK. Expect consistent chest-to-head-high surf with occasional bigger days. The waves have excellent shape and power – overhead barrels are not uncommon when a deep low stalls in the Norwegian Sea. This is peak season at its finest.