Margara - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October – March)

The North Pacific winter pattern delivers the most consistent swell energy to Margara during this half of the year. Average wave heights range from 1.4m to 1.8m, with periods between 6 and 7 seconds – rideable and punchy. While the dominant swell direction remains ENE (often producing long, weak lines), occasional pulses of north-northeast and even northwest swell wrap into the north-facing beach, offering the best opportunity for lined-up sets. The trade-off comes with wind: offshore breezes from the south to southwest are rare, but the often light cross-shore flow from the east can keep conditions clean when speeds stay under 10-20 kph. October stands out with the highest percentage of ideal wind (52%), making it the prime month for quality.

Fair Surf Season (April, September)

Transition months see a drop in average swell height to around 1.4-1.5m and periods hovering near 6 seconds. The swell angle shifts even more to the ENE, reducing the chance of northwesterly energy. However, lighter wind regimes and a slightly higher frequency of south component winds (up to 48% ideal in September) create some windows of fun, groveling conditions. April’s average height of 1.5m can still produce a few punchy waves when a short-period ENE pulse aligns with light offshore flow.

Low Surf Season (May – August)

Summer brings the smallest and weakest swell of the year to Margara. Average heights drop to 1.2–1.3m with periods of 6.0–6.3s, and the swell direction is almost exclusively from the east-northeast (ENE accounts for 55–77% of all waves). This oblique approach rarely breaks cleanly on the north-facing beach, often resulting in weak, closeout sections. While the wind is ideal 35–49% of the time (mostly light east or southeast winds), the lack of size and poor swell angle makes these months primarily a low-energy period best suited for longboarders or beginners. Only occasional tropical swells or distant low-pressure remnants might briefly elevate conditions.

December: Winter’s Peak

December returns to the winter peak with an average height of 1.8m and period of 6.8 seconds. Swell direction is again heavily ENE (33.8%) and NE (35.9%), but NNE (15.6%) and north (3.2%) contributions are present. The north-northwest (2.6%) also shows a slight presence. Wind is ideal only 30% of the time, the lowest of any month, due to frequent east and northeast winds (E 37.2%, ENE 32.3%) that can become strong during storm passages. The low ideal wind percentage means that many days are marred by onshore or strong cross-shore winds. However, when the timing is right – a strong north swell aligned with a clearing NW wind shift – Margara can see pumping, heavy waves in the 1.5-2.5m range. The short-period average (6.8s) means that most swell is wind-driven rather than groundswell, leading to choppy conditions more often than not. December is a month for the dedicated local who can score the rare clean day.