Portrush - surf spot statistics

Portrush, UK, offers a mix of ground and wind swells throughout the year, with winter months providing the most consistent and surfable conditions. From January to March, ground swell dominates (59-69%), delivering the highest mean swell sizes (1.3-1.6m). However, these months also have the worst wind conditions, with bad winds occurring 91-94% of the time. Despite this, the strong, clean swells make early winter a prime window for experienced surfers willing to brave the challenging winds. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer transitional conditions. Ground swell decreases (21-43%), while wind swell becomes more prominent (46-51%). Swell sizes drop to 1.0-1.2m, but wind conditions remain poor (89-92% bad winds). September stands out with the best balance, offering a resurgence in ground swell (32%) and slightly improved winds (90% bad—still not ideal, but manageable). Summer (June-August) is the least favorable, with minimal ground swell (10-14%) and small mean sizes (0.7-0.8m). Wind conditions remain bad (91-92%), and wind swells dominate (52-61%), often creating choppy, less desirable waves. Late autumn (November-December) sees ground swell pick up again (52-58%) with larger waves (1.4-1.5m), but wind conditions worsen (92-93% bad). For the best waves, December through February is the peak window, though surfers must accept high wind risks. Spring and autumn provide smaller but occasionally cleaner sessions, while summer is mostly for beginners or longboarders in tiny conditions. Overall, Portrush rewards persistence—its best days are powerful but rare, requiring patience and local knowledge.

November in Portrush offers a mixed bag for surfers, with generally rideable conditions but variable wind and swell influences. The average swell height is 1.4m with a decent period of 10.4s, providing consistent energy for intermediate to advanced surfers. The most dominant swell directions are NW and WNW, which account for the largest share of rideable waves (1.5-2.5m range). These swells, combined with the spot's exposure, typically produce clean, powerful waves when winds cooperate. However, ideal offshore winds (8% occurrence) are relatively rare, meaning surfers will frequently contend with cross-shore or onshore winds, particularly from the S to SW sectors, which bring stronger gusts (20-40kph). Smaller, weaker swells from E to SE are less favorable and often wind-affected. Overall, November delivers solid NW swell energy, but patience is required for those pristine sessions when winds align. Expect a mix of choppy days and occasional clean, powerful peaks—best suited for those comfortable in heavier conditions.