Map
Reef - surf spot statistics
Reef seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Atlantic winter machine is in full swing from October through March, delivering consistent, powerful swell to this west-facing reef. Average wave heights range from 2.0 to 2.6m with periods often exceeding 12 seconds, providing the long-period, pumping surf this spot is known for. While wind conditions are not always perfect, the percentage of ideal offshore flow from the WNW, W, WSW, and SW quadrants climbs above 20%, with December peaking at 25%. When a strong low-pressure system spins up in the North Atlantic and we get a clean breeze from these directions, the reef absolutely fires.
Fair Surf Season (April, May, September)
Transition months bring a mix of leftover winter energy and the first hints of summer. Swell heights average between 1.6 and 2.0m, with periods dropping to the 10-11 second range. The wind becomes less reliable, with ideal conditions occurring only 10-14% of the time. Still, occasional groundswell from late-season storms can light up the spot, especially in September when the Atlantic starts to stir again.
Low Surf Season (June - August)
Summer settles in with a marked drop in swell energy. Average heights hover around 1.4-1.5m, periods in the 8-9 second range, and ideal wind conditions drop to a meager 3-6% of the time. Dominant north/northwest winds keep the spot often choppy and onshore. However, if you catch a rare WNW or W breeze during a small northwest swell, the waves can clean up for some rippable summer fun.
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Conditions at Reef in January
January: The Deep Winter Pulse
January delivers the peak of North Atlantic fury with an average swell height of 2.6m and a period of 13.0s, squarely in the powerful, long-period range. Swell direction is dominated by NW (21.9%) and WNW (17.7%), which are optimal for this west-facing reef. The wind is favorable 26% of the time, with the best flow coming from the WNW, W, WSW, and SW quadrants. However, most days are dominated by northerly winds (N at 13%, NNE at 10.8%), which can cause chop. When a deep low sits west of Ireland and the pressure gradient aligns to produce a clean offshore breeze from the west quadrants, the reef comes alive with heavy, hollow peaks. This is the month to hunt for an XL swell window.
Average Spot conditions at Reef in January
Swell history for January
Wind history for January
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Reef during January. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Reef for your next trip in January.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Reef for January. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Reef.