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.

January: Deep Winter Pulse

The North Atlantic is in full fury during January, and Minutes reaps the rewards. Average swell height hits 1.7m with a period of 8.7s – squarely in the pumping range. Swell direction is dominated by the SSW (14.6%) and SW (12.5%), which are ideal for this east-facing beach. However, a significant chunk also comes from the S (9.9%) and SSE (6.6%), creating a mix of clean lines and more crumbly, side-shore waves. Wind patterns are a double-edged sword: offshore breezes from WNW (15.2%) and NW (13.6%) blow frequently, but onshore winds from the SW and SSW also occur. The 52% ideal wind statistic means you'll need to pick your days wisely – when the wind aligns with a good SW swell, you're looking at firing, hollow waves. Persistent low-pressure systems in the North Atlantic fuel these pulses, and a negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) often enhances the fetch, sending long-period energy straight into the coast.