Ral Island - surf spot statistics

Ral Island in Papua New Guinea offers surfable conditions year-round, though the best months for quality waves are from November to March. During this period, ground swell dominates (48-56% of the time), providing more consistent and powerful waves with mean swell sizes ranging from 0.7 to 1.0 meters. December and January are particularly good, with ground swell peaking at 55-56% and decent swell sizes. Wind conditions, however, are less favorable, with bad winds occurring 64-83% of the time, making offshore winds rarer but still possible. April and October are transitional months with a mix of ground and wind swell, but wind conditions improve slightly (29-35% good winds). Swell size drops to 0.6-0.7 meters, making them decent but not ideal for advanced surfers. From May to September, conditions deteriorate significantly, with low ground swell (2-20%), frequent flat spells (34-48% no swell), and small waves (0.5-0.6 meters). Wind conditions remain mostly poor, further reducing surf quality. For the best experience, target late November through early March when ground swell is strongest, despite challenging winds. If you prioritize cleaner conditions over wave power, April and October offer a compromise with slightly better winds and manageable swell. Avoid mid-year (May-September) when weak swells and onshore winds prevail.

Ral Island in November offers surfable conditions, though with some variability. The average swell height is 0.7m, and the dominant swell direction is NNE (46.86% of waves in the 0.5-1m range), followed by NNW and NE. The average period is a solid 10.8s, indicating decent energy, though most waves remain in the small to medium range (0.5-1.5m). Larger swells (over 2m) are rare, mostly from the W and WNW, but these contribute minimally to the overall conditions. Wind is a mixed bag—offshore or light winds, ideal for surfing, occur 36% of the time. The ENE to E winds (10-30kph) are most common and can create choppy conditions, while lighter winds from the N-NNW provide cleaner surf. Overall, November is a decent month for intermediate surfers, with the best sessions likely when NNE swells coincide with lighter NNW winds. However, consistency isn’t perfect, and larger, cleaner days are occasional rather than guaranteed.