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.

In September, Portrush typically offers surfable conditions with an average swell height of 1.0m and a decent period of 9.3s, indicating clean, well-spaced waves. The most consistent swell direction is from the NW, producing the highest percentage of rideable waves (0.5–2.5m), accounting for a substantial portion of the swell distribution, particularly in the 0.5–1m and 1–1.5m ranges. WNW also contributes significantly, especially in larger swell ranges. Wind conditions are critical, and only 10% of the time are ideal for surfing—typically light to moderate offshore winds (N to ENE) that align well with the dominant NW swell. However, winds from S to W are more common and often onshore or cross-shore, creating choppier conditions. Overall, September can deliver good surf, particularly when NW swells combine with favorable wind directions, but surfers should monitor forecasts closely for clean, rideable windows.