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Port Alfred - surf spot statistics
Port Alfred seasonal overview
Port Alfred generally offers consistent surf year-round, with the best conditions occurring from May to August. During these months, ground swell dominance rises above 80%, providing clean, powerful waves with minimal wind interference. The mean swell size peaks at 2.9m in August, while May through July also see heights averaging 2.6m–2.8m. Wind conditions improve slightly in this period, with good wind days increasing to 23–25%—still not ideal, but better than the rest of the year. Autumn (April) and early spring (September) are decent transitional windows, with ground swell still strong (73–76%) and slightly more favorable winds than summer. However, from October to March, conditions decline due to higher wind swell influence (32–42%) and consistently poor wind direction (87–90% bad). While summer swells are smaller (2.3m–2.5m), they’re more likely to be choppy due to onshore winds. For surfers prioritizing quality over frequency, winter (May–August) is the clear choice, offering larger, cleaner waves despite lingering wind challenges. Advanced riders will find the biggest and most powerful swels in late winter (July–August), though persistent crosswinds require patience for optimal sessions.
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Conditions at Port Alfred in October
October in Port Alfred offers solid surf conditions with an average swell height of 2.7m and a consistent period of 11.1s, indicating powerful, well-formed waves. The swell is predominantly from the SSW, SW, and S, with the largest contributions coming from SW (11.52% of waves in the 2-2.5m range and 1.61% over 2.5m). ENE and E swells also contribute but are less common. Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 10% of winds being ideal for surfing. The strongest and most frequent winds come from the ENE, E, and WSW directions, often blowing at 20-40kph, which can create choppy or cross-shore conditions. Surfers should watch for clean periods when lighter SE or S winds align with the swell direction. Overall, expect powerful waves but variable wind quality, making timing sessions around wind shifts crucial for the best rides.
Average Spot conditions at Port Alfred in October
Swell history for October
Wind history for October
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Port Alfred during October. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Port Alfred for your next trip in October.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Port Alfred for October. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Port Alfred.