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.

September: The Turn Begins

September marks a notable improvement in both size and quality. Average height climbs back to 1.2m and period jumps to 8.5s – a sign that longer-period groundswell is returning. Swell directions become more varied: S (19.0%) and SSW (18.6%) still dominate, but SSE (17.4%), SE (12.7%), and SW (8.1%) all play significant roles. The increasing contribution from SW is key – that's an optimal angle for Minutes. Ideal wind remains high at 61%, with offshore breezes from SSW (12.7%) and SW (12.2%) common. This creates more opportunities for clean, punchy waves in the chest-to-head-high range. Extratropical storms beginning to form in the North Atlantic, combined with lingering tropical energy, can send powerful, long-period swell pulses. When these align with an offshore wind from the NW or W, the spot can fire with hollow, rippable waves. September is the true start of the quality surf season.