Margaret River - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (May - September)

Winter in the Southern Ocean unleashes its fury and Margaret River goes full-pumping. From May through September, the average swell hovers around a solid 2.3m to 2.8m, with periods consistently in the 12.9-13.3s range – that's powerful, long-period groundswell that wraps perfectly into the West-South-West facing coastline. The dominant swell directions shift to SW and WSW, the exact sweet spot for this stretch of coast. While onshore westerlies can be a menace, the prevalence of E to NE winds during high-pressure setups offers clean, glassy conditions especially in the mornings. This is prime time for pumping 1.5-2.5m plus waves at iconic spots like The Box and Mainbreak.

Fair Surf Season (April & October)

Shoulder months bring a transition period where the ocean is still very much alive. April and October see average swells between 2.0m and 2.2m with periods around 12.8-12.9s – solid and rippable. Wind ideal percentages climb to 29% in April thanks to more frequent easterly regimes, while October cools off slightly. These months can deliver fun, clean waves without the peak-winter crowds, making them a favorite for those seeking quality over quantity.

Low Surf Season (November - March)

Summer settles in and the Pacific High-pressure system dominates the Indian Ocean, suppressing the storm track. From November through March, average swell heights drop to 1.8-1.9m and periods slip to 11.8-12.5s. While still rideable, the swell tends to be more windswell-infused and less consistent. The wind regime is dominated by afternoon sea breezes – SSE to SW onshores that wreck wave quality. However, early morning offshore easterlies from the land breeze can still create short windows of fun, groveling waves in the 0.5-1.5m range. March stands out as the best of the low season with 21% ideal wind and longer average periods (12.5s), hinting at the approaching winter swell.

December: Summer Lull

December is the start of the long, slow summer. Average swell height is 1.9m with a period of 11.9s – mostly short-period, wind-affected swell. The dominant directions are SW (40.6%) and SSW (28.3%), but the wind is the main issue. Ideal offshore wind occurs only 14% of the time. The dominant winds are SSE (24.3%) and S (18.0%), which are onshore for this west-facing coast. The afternoons are almost always blown out. The best chances are early mornings with light E to ENE breezes, offering tiny, groveling waves in the 0.5-1m range. It's a month for micro-surfing and enjoying the warm water, but don't expect pumping surf. Keep an eye out for tropical lows that can occasionally swing around and produce a fun SW swell with clean easterly winds – a rare treat in December.