Point Dume - surf spot statistics

Point Dume, located in Southern California, offers relatively consistent surf conditions year-round, though certain months stand out as prime for surfers. The data reveals that ground swells dominate from April through September, peaking at 89-94% occurrence, with minimal wind swell interference (2-6%). These months also see the highest mean swell size at 0.7-0.8m, though the waves remain on the smaller side compared to more exposed breaks. However, wind conditions are less favorable during this period, with good winds only occurring 34-47% of the time, meaning onshore or unfavorable winds are more common, particularly in summer (June-August). The best balance of swell and wind occurs in early fall (September-October), where ground swells remain strong (85-93%) and good wind conditions improve to 47%. Spring (March-May) also offers solid swell consistency (78-92%), but winds remain a mixed bag (38-44% favorable). Winter months (November-February) see a drop in ground swell frequency (58-70%) and increased no-swell days (20-33%), along with predominantly poor wind conditions (53-66% unfavorable). Overall, September and October emerge as the most reliable months for surfers at Point Dume, combining consistent ground swells with relatively better wind odds, while spring provides decent swell but with less predictable winds. Summer has the most consistent swell but suffers from frequent onshore winds, making early mornings or protected sessions more ideal.

March at Point Dume offers surfable conditions with a fairly consistent swell, though not overly powerful. The average swell height is 0.8m with a solid 14.1s period, indicating clean, well-spaced waves that hold shape nicely. The dominant swell direction is from the SSW, making up a significant portion of the swell distribution, particularly in the 0.5-1m range (32.52%), followed by SW and WSW. This suggests the spot benefits from favorable southerly swells that wrap into the break, though wave heights mostly stay in the 0.5-2m range, with rare instances of larger sets. Wind is a mixed bag—43% of the time it’s offshore or light enough for good surfing, but there’s a notable chance of onshore winds from the W and WNW, especially in the 10-30kph range, which can disrupt conditions. Surfers should target days with SSW/SW swell and lighter winds for the best sessions, as the spot handles smaller, mid-period swells well but lacks significant power in bigger conditions. Overall, March is decent but not prime—expect rideable waves with some variability in quality depending on wind.