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.

January: Winter’s Punch

January delivers the largest average swell of the year at 1.8m, with an average period of 7.0 seconds. The swell direction is heavily skewed toward the east-northeast (38.7% of all waves) and northeast (27.5%), which is far from optimal for the north-facing beach. However, a modest contribution from the north-northeast (15.5%) and north (4.0%) provides occasional cleaner lines when the angle aligns. Wind is ideal only 34% of the time, but the dominant wind direction is east (37.3% of all readings), often at speeds of 10-20 kph, creating a cross-shore flow that can groom the surface. When a low-pressure system tracks far enough north to deliver a true N or NW swell, combined with a rare S or SW offshore wind, Margara can see firing 1.5-2.5m waves with good shape. But on average, expect average-quality, ENE-dominant surf.