North Stradbroke Island - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (June - August)

Winter sets the stage for prime conditions on North Stradbroke Island. As the Tasman Sea comes alive with consistent E/SE swell trains, the dominant westerly wind regime delivers offshore breezes from W, WNW, NW, or NWN up to 26% of the time. Average wave heights hover around 1.1m with periods creeping into the 9-second range, offering punchy, rippable waves. The combination of clean offshore winds and reliable groundswell makes this the go-to window for quality sessions.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & September - October)

Transition months bring a blend of conditions. April and May still see decent swell from the eastern quadrant, but the wind patterns become more variable. Offshore winds occur 14-19% of the time, often in early mornings. September and October mark the start of spring, with increasing northerly winds and a shift toward shorter-period swell from E/ESE. The average wave period drops to 8.0-8.3s, but good days can still be found when a southerly buster or weak cold front aligns the stars.

Low Surf Season (November - March)

Summer in the subtropics means the trade winds rule. E, ESE, and SE winds are onshore and gusty, limiting offshore windows to just 11-15% of the time. While the Coral Sea pumps swell from E and ENE, it is often accompanied by chop and bump. Occasional tropical cyclones can produce large, long-period swell, but these events are rare and often come with strong onshore winds. Generally, expect small to modest waves (0.5-1.5m) and frequent choppy conditions. A winter fan's patience will be tested.

November: Pre-Summer Transition

November has an average height of 1.1m and the lowest average period of the year at 7.9s. Swell is dominated by E (20.3%), NE (10.7%), and NNE (10.8%), with a significant ENE component (15.3%). These shorter-period swells are often wind-affected. Offshore wind frequency drops to 15%. The wind pattern is dominated by N (14.3%), NNE (12%), and NE (7.3%) – all not truly offshore. True westerlies are scarce. Expect frequent onshore days with bumpy, short-period waves. The occasional cyclone or trough can deliver a surprise, but consistency is low. Consider this a month for die-hards or early birds.