Minutes - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (December - February)

Winter roars to life along the Canadian East Coast as the North Atlantic pumps out consistent, solid swell. From December through February, average wave heights hold steady around 1.7m, with periods averaging 8.7s – that's the sweet spot for punchy, rippable waves. The dominant swell directions tilt heavily toward the SW and SSW quadrants, which are prime angles for this east-facing beach. Offshore winds from the WNW and NW blow around half the time, often aligning with the best swells to create clean, powerful surf. This is when the combination of size and favorable wind is most consistent, delivering pumping sessions for those who can handle the winter chill.

Fair Surf Season (March - May & September - November)

Transition months see a gradual shift in both swell energy and wind patterns. March still kicks with 1.6m averages, but the frequency of ideal offshore winds drops to 48%. April and May see swell heights decline to 1.4m and 1.2m, respectively, while periods shorten – yet the swell window rotates more south, with SSE and S directions becoming increasingly dominant. These are less optimal for the spot but can still produce fun, groveling waves when the wind cooperates. September through November tell a similar story in reverse: swell ramps back up from 1.2m to 1.6m, and the wind steadiness improves slightly (55-61% ideal in Sep-Oct). These months offer a mix of clean days and messy onshore slop, making it a gamble for quality, but the potential for solid, long-period groundswell exists if a strong extratropical storm tracks right.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer brings the smallest surf of the year, with average wave heights hovering around just 1.0m and periods slipping to 7.2-7.7s. The swell is almost entirely from the S and SSW – directions that rarely produce the clean, lined-up waves this east-facing beach craves. However, the trade-off is stellar wind conditions: offshore breezes from SW through NW blow over 65% of the time, especially in July (68%) and August (67%). That means glassy mornings and small, fun-sized waves perfect for longboarding or a grovel session. If you're after size, this is the time to travel; if you're after perfection on a micro-swell, summer can deliver surprisingly clean logs.

December: Winter Peak

December delivers the goods: 1.7m average height, 8.6s period, and a high proportion of optimal swell directions. SSW (14.7%) and SW (12.2%) top the list, but S (10.2%), WSW (6.6%), and W (5.9%) all add to the mix. The westward component is strongest now, ensuring a steady supply of waves that wrap into the beach with good shape. Ideal wind hovers at 50%, with offshore flows from WNW (14.6%) and NW (14.1%) being the most common wind directions overall. This means that on many days, the wind is actually offshore during the morning and switches onshore later – classic winter pattern. The North Atlantic storm track is at its peak, and the NAO often dips negative, steering lows right toward the coast. As a result, December sees the highest frequency of overhead, powerful swell. When a 15-19s period groundswell from the SW coincides with a stiff NW wind, Minutes turns into a surfer's paradise – heavy, hollow, and relentless.