Neva Bay - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The heart of the North Pacific winter delivers the goods at Neva Bay. From October through March, the average swell height climbs above 2.5m, peaking at 3.0m in December. Long-period groundswells (10-14s average) generated by powerful extratropical storms roar in from the W and NW, wrapping nicely into this west-facing beach. Offshore wind conditions (from east) are most reliable in February and March, with ideal wind percentages reaching 28-29%. This is the prime window for pumping waves in the 1.5-2.5m range, often with clean faces and plenty of power. The combination of consistent, sizeable swell and favorable wind alignment makes these months the undisputed peak season.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)

As the winter storm track begins to weaken in April and May, Neva Bay transitions to a more moderate swell regime. Average heights drop to 1.7-2.2m, and periods shorten slightly to 10-11s. The dominant swell direction shifts more southerly (SW-SSW), which still has decent exposure but lacks the ideal W-NW angle. Ideal wind percentages hold around 26-30%, offering frequent windows of clean conditions. September sees a return of larger swell (2.0m average) as autumn storms start to spin up, but periods remain shorter (9.9s) and wind reliability dips to 24%. These shoulder months provide fun, rippable surf on the better days, though consistency is lower than winter.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer at Neva Bay is the quietest time of year. Average swell heights bottom out at 1.3-1.4m, with periods hovering around 10s. The swell direction is dominated by SW and SSW, which are less than ideal for this west-facing spot. More critically, the wind patterns become unfavorable: a strong sea breeze component from NW and W (direct onshore) dominates, pushing ideal wind percentages down to 21-23%. Most days feature choppy, small waves in the <0.5m to 1m range. Occasional southerly groundswell can provide groveling conditions, but overall the quality is low. This is the time to explore other spots or wait for the next winter cycle.

March: Transitioning but Still Firing

March maintains impressive winter energy with an average swell of 2.5m and period of 11.3s. Swell directions broaden slightly, with WSW (16.4%) and SW (14.6%) dominating, but also a notable W (5.2%) component. The ideal wind percentage peaks at 29% – the highest of the year – thanks to frequent easterly winds. This month often sees the last of the major winter storm swells before the pattern shifts. Surfers can expect solid 1.5-2.5m waves with clean, offshore conditions on many days. The longer daylight hours also make March a great time to score uncrowded sessions with quality waves.