Manly - surf spot statistics

Manly Beach in Australia offers a mix of conditions year-round, with the best surfing months typically being from late summer into autumn, particularly February to April. During these months, the swell is a balanced mix of ground and wind swells, with February having 18% ground swell and 82% wind swell, while April sees an increase in ground swell to 26% and 74% wind swell. The average swell size remains steady at 1.6m, providing consistent wave heights. Wind conditions are also favorable, with February having the highest percentage of good winds at 47%, though April sees a slight drop to 37%. Winter months from May to August experience higher ground swell percentages, peaking at 31% in June, but the wind conditions deteriorate significantly, with bad winds dominating at 76% in May and peaking at 85% in July. Swell size decreases slightly in winter to around 1.4-1.5m. Spring and early summer from September to December see a return to more wind-dominated swells, with ground swell dropping below 20% by November and December. Wind conditions improve slightly, with good winds rising back to 34% in October and 42% in December. Overall, surfers will find the most reliable conditions from February to April when swell composition, size, and wind conditions align best for quality surfing at Manly.

In July, Manly offers surfers a mix of conditions with an average swell height of 1.5m and a solid period of 9.6s, indicating consistent and well-formed waves. The majority of swell comes from the southern quadrant (SSE, S, and SE), contributing to the most rideable waves, particularly in the 1-2.5m range, which makes up a significant portion of the swell distribution. ENE and ESE swells also play a role, though they tend to be smaller. Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 15% of the time offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds (typically from the west or northwest). The dominant winds are S-SSW and W-WSW, often blowing at 10-30kph, which can create choppy or onshore conditions. Stronger winds (20-40kph) from the S-SSW sector are common and may hinder surf quality. Overall, July provides decent waves for experienced surfers, especially when winds cooperate, but expect variable conditions with frequent onshore interruptions.