Raglan - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (February - May)

As autumn settles in, the Tasman Sea comes alive with a steady diet of long-period swell from the west and southwest. This is prime time for Raglan. The average wave height builds from 1.6m to 2.2m with periods consistently over 12 seconds, delivering powerful, punchy waves. Meanwhile, offshore winds from the west-southwest through south-southwest blow cleanly across the lineup 29-34% of the time, setting up classic peeling left-handers at the Point. This is when the stars align for consistent, rippable surf day after day.

Fair Surf Season (June - September)

Winter unleashes the full force of the Southern Ocean, with average swell heights holding steady at 2.2m and periods around 12-12.5 seconds. The swell is definitely pumping, but the trade-off comes in the form of increased onshore winds. Ideal offshore wind percentages drop to between 18-26%, meaning you'll have to pick your windows carefully. When a high-pressure system moves in from the south, the wind swings offshore and the Point lights up with XXL waves. But more often than not, you'll be dealing with strong westerly or northwesterly winds that chop up the lineup. Patience and a keen eye on the forecast are key.

Low Surf Season (October - January)

Spring and early summer bring a shift in the wind regime. The percentage of offshore wind plummets to a low of 16-19% from October through December and only begins to recover in January. While the swell is still considerable in October (2.2m average), it's frequently blown out by westerly and northwesterly winds. As we move into November and December, the average swell height drops to around 1.7-1.9m and the wave period shortens to 11 seconds or so. This is the time for smaller boards and fun, groveling waves at the Point when the wind cooperates, which isn't often. January sees a slight pickup in offshore winds (25%) and the swell period rebounds to 11.7s, offering occasional gems between the summer doldrums.

August: Consistent but Fickle

August maintains the winter swell average of 2.2m with a period of 12.5 seconds. The dominant swell direction is heavily WSW (31.0%), with SW (14.4%) and W (11.3%) still contributing. The longer period means the wave energy is deep and penetrating. However, ideal offshore wind drops to 24%, the lowest of the winter months. Onshore winds from the E and NE are common, creating choppy conditions. The key is to watch for high-pressure ridges that produce clean offshore SSW flows—these windows often last a day or two and deliver perfectly groomed 1.5-2.5m waves. August rewards patience and a flexible schedule.