Red Tree Reef - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Pacific roars to life during the autumn and winter months, delivering a sustained barrage of powerful, long-period groundswells to Red Tree Reef. Average swell heights climb above 2.5m, peaking at 3.0m in December, with periods consistently in the 11-12s range – that's the sweet spot for this west-facing reef. The dominant swell directions shift predominantly through the SW, WSW, and W quadrants, which align perfectly with the reef's optimal exposure. Offshore wind conditions are most reliable during this period, with ideal wind percentages hovering between 24% and 29%, often courtesy of high-pressure systems settling over the interior that pump clean ENE to SE breezes. When these ingredients combine, the reef fires, offering peaky, powerful waves that demand respect.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)

As the North Pacific storm track starts to weaken in spring, average swell heights drop to 2.2m in April and 1.7m in May, while periods shorten to around 10-11s. The swell energy is still present, but it becomes less consistent and more reliant on Southern Hemisphere pulses or late-season low-pressure systems. April sees the highest offshore wind frequency of the year at 30%, making it a prime month for clean, albeit smaller, conditions. September marks the transition back into winter, with average heights climbing back to 2.0m and periods picking up to 9.9s. While the swell is still building, the wind plays a trickier game – ideal conditions occur only 24% of the time, often requiring a careful eye on local pressure gradients.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer slumps hard at Red Tree Reef. The North Pacific storm machine shuts down, leaving the reef relying on weak, distant Southern Hemisphere swells that arrive with less punch. Average swell heights bottom out at 1.3-1.4m, and periods dip to 9.8-10.2s – rideable but rarely exciting. The swell direction becomes heavily biased toward the SW and SSW, which, while still workable, doesn't bring the same juice as a solid W or WNW swell. To make matters worse, the wind is far from cooperative. Ideal offshore conditions fall to 21-23% of the time, with strong, persistent NW winds dominating a quarter of the days. The result is a summer of small, often choppy surf that is best suited for a longboard or a groveler when the occasional west wind swell aligns.

November: Prime Time

November solidifies the peak of the surf season. Average swell height reaches 2.8m with a period of 11.0s – a potent combination for a west-facing reef. The swell window is dominated by WSW (12.6%) and SW (11.5%), with SSW (7.7%) and W (4.3%) adding variety. The period is long enough to ensure these swells have the energy to wrap and peak cleanly. Wind conditions improve further, with ideal conditions 25% of the time. The dominant wind regime is from the E and ESE quadrants, providing clean, offshore flow on many days. The key is to watch the pressure gradient: a strong high over the Great Basin and a low in the Gulf of Alaska often sets up the perfect scenario. Expect consistent, head-high to overhead surf with plenty of power and shape.