Playa El Rey - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (December - March)

The North Pacific high flexes its muscles from December through March, driving a steady stream of offshore N to NNE winds down the coast. This is when Playa El Rey truly shines. Swell energy, while averaging just 1.0 to 1.1 meters, comes with a long-period punch – 12 to 13.5 seconds – from the SSW and SW. The combination of offshore glass and clean, lined-up waves makes for some of the most rippable surf of the year. Think fun-sized to solid 1-1.5m sets with the occasional 1.5m+ pulse when a stronger Southern Hemisphere storm sneaks through. Early mornings are your window.

Fair Surf Season (June - October)

As the Northern Hemisphere heats up, the ITCZ marches north and the Southern Hemisphere roars to life. From June through October, average swell heights climb to 1.3-1.4 meters with periods still in the 13-second range – powerful, long-period southern energy. The catch: the same storm systems that generate the swell also shift the wind belt, increasing the prevalence of onshore SW and S flow. Ideal wind percentages hover around 20-28%, making those windows of offshore N winds (often early mornings) precious. When the synoptic puzzle aligns, you get firing 1.5-2.5m days with heavy, clean walls. But be prepared to pick your sessions.

Low Surf Season (April - May and November)

April and May represent a transition between the two main swell windows. The wind patterns become more variable, with the percentage of favorable offshore winds dropping to 20-22%. Swell heights bump up to 1.2-1.3m and periods stretch to 14 seconds – plenty of juice – but consistent clean conditions become harder to find. November is the trickiest month: only 16% ideal wind and the average swell dips back to 1.2m with a period around 12.4 seconds. The trade-off is that when a cold front pushes through from the north, you can score unexpected gems. For the dedicated surfer willing to chase the small windows, there is reward; for the casual traveler, this is the time to explore other spots.

December: The Dry Season Returns

December marks the return of the dry season and a steady improvement in conditions. Average swell height drops to 1.0m – fun-sized – and period sits at 12.1 seconds, still rideable. Swell comes overwhelmingly from the SSW (88.3%), with 48.4% in the 0.5-1m range and 39.2% in the 1-1.5m range. The big story is the wind: ideal conditions are back to 20% and trending upward. With the north Pacific high strengthening, offshore winds from N, NNE, NW, and NNW become more frequent. The waves may not have the size of summer, but the glassy conditions and clean lines make for incredibly fun, rippable surf. December is a great month to ease into the peak season.