Mavericks - surf spot statistics

Mavericks, known for its powerful and often dangerous waves, offers the best surfing conditions during the winter months, particularly from November through February. During this period, ground swell dominates, with percentages ranging from 87% in November to 93% in January, ensuring consistent, high-quality waves generated by distant storms. The mean swell size peaks at 1.9m in January and February, dropping slightly to 1.8m in December, which is ideal for experienced surfers seeking challenging surf. Wind conditions are most favorable in January and December, with good winds occurring around 50% of the time, though February sees a dip in favorable winds (42%). Outside these months, wind conditions deteriorate significantly, with bad wind frequencies above 50% from March onward, peaking at 89% in July. Swell quality declines noticeably in spring and summer, with ground swell percentages dropping as low as 50% in June and wind swell becoming more prominent, leading to less predictable and generally smaller waves (1.0m–1.5m). September and October mark a transitional period, with improving ground swell (71%–82%) and marginally better wind conditions (21%–36%), but still fall short of winter’s consistency. For surfers targeting Mavericks’ legendary waves, the prime window is clearly winter, when large, clean ground swells and relatively manageable wind conditions combine to create world-class surf.

December at Mavericks delivers powerful and consistent conditions, with an average swell height of 1.8m and a strong period of 13.6s, indicating well-organized, high-energy waves. The dominant swell direction is from the west (W), contributing significantly to wave heights between 1-2.5m, making up over 58% of the swell distribution. Larger sets exceeding 2.5m occur but are less frequent (0.67%). Cross-shore to slightly sideshore winds prevail, with ideal surfing conditions (light to moderate winds under 20kph) occurring 51% of the time. However, stronger winds from the northwest (NW) and north (N) can occasionally create choppy conditions, especially when speeds exceed 30kph. The WSW and W swells paired with favorable winds offer the best setup for big-wave surfers, with clean, powerful waves when winds remain manageable. Experienced surfers should watch for the heavier W and WSW swells, which produce the most critical and hollow sections Mavericks is known for, while less favorable wind directions (N/NW) may disrupt the lineup. Overall, December solidifies Mavericks' reputation for winter excellence—challenging but world-class on the right days.