North Wall Ballina - surf spot statistics

North Wall Ballina in Australia offers varied surf conditions throughout the year, with the best months typically aligning with the winter season when ground swells dominate and wind conditions improve. From May to August, the percentage of ground swell increases significantly, peaking in July at 32%, while wind swell decreases. These months also see better wind conditions, with July offering the highest likelihood of favorable winds at 36% compared to the rest of the year. The mean swell size remains relatively consistent, hovering around 1.5 to 1.7 meters, providing manageable yet powerful waves. Outside of winter, the spot becomes more wind-swell dependent, particularly from November to February, when the ground swell drops below 20% and onshore winds frequently degrade conditions. Late autumn and early winter (May to July) are optimal for surfers seeking cleaner, more organized waves, while summer months tend to be less reliable due to higher wind swell influence and poor wind alignment. If you prioritize quality over consistency, target the May-August window for the best balance of swell energy and cleaner conditions.

In February, North Wall Ballina typically offers surfable conditions with an average swell height of 1.7m and a decent period of 9.1s, providing consistent, well-formed waves. The swell direction is predominantly from the east to southeast (E, ESE, SE), with the largest share of waves in the 1-2.5m range, making it ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. Smaller days (0.5-1.5m) are frequent but balanced by a solid number of punchier 1.5-2.5m waves. Wind conditions are variable, with only 18% being ideal (light offshore or gentle cross-shore), primarily from the west to northwest (W, WNW, NW). However, the most common winds are northeasterly to southeasterly (NE to SE), often in the 10-30kph range, which can create onshore chop and reduce wave quality. While the spot gets surfable waves regularly, the wind is the limiting factor—early mornings or late afternoons may offer cleaner sessions when winds are lighter. Overall, February delivers decent surf, but patience and timing are key to scoring the best conditions.