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.

October at Manly offers fairly consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.5m and a decent period of 8.7s, providing manageable but sometimes punchy waves. The swell is predominantly from the SE-SSE direction, with the majority of waves in the 1-2m range, ensuring rideable conditions most days. However, larger sets exceeding 2.5m are rare, limiting big-wave potential. Wind conditions are favorable for surfing 34% of the time, with lighter winds (<20kph) from the E-SE or W-NW offering cleaner sessions, while stronger S-SSW winds can create chop. Expect a mix of playful mid-sized waves and occasional punchy peaks, making it a solid month for intermediate to advanced surfers, though wind luck plays a key role in scoring quality sessions.