Rhossili Bay - surf spot statistics

Rhossili Bay is a reliable surf spot in the UK, but conditions vary significantly throughout the year. The best months for surfing are typically from late autumn through winter, particularly from November to February, when ground swells dominate, averaging 1.2m to 1.4m in size. January and December offer the highest percentage of ground swell (53% and 46%, respectively) with mean swell heights around 1.3m-1.4m, providing more consistent and cleaner waves. However, wind conditions during these months are often unfavorable, with bad winds occurring 87%-90% of the time, making offshore winds rare. February also stands out with decent ground swell (52%) and slightly better wind probabilities (13% good winds). Spring and summer (April to September) see a steep decline in ground swell, dropping to as low as 3% in July and August, while wind swells become more prevalent but are generally weaker (0.7m-0.8m). Wind conditions worsen in summer, with bad winds exceeding 90% in most months. October marks a transition period, with ground swell increasing to 23% and swell size improving to 1.1m, though wind conditions remain poor. For experienced surfers, the winter months offer the most powerful and cleanest waves despite challenging winds, while summer is better suited for beginners due to smaller, less consistent conditions. Overall, the prime window for good surf at Rhossili Bay is late autumn to early winter, balancing swell size, consistency, and occasional favorable winds.

July at Rhossili Bay tends to offer small, clean conditions but is generally inconsistent for surfing. The average swell height is 0.7m with a decent period of 7.7s, suggesting some rideable waves, though they'll often be on the softer side. The dominant swell direction is from the WSW, which aligns best with the bay, producing the most frequent and slightly larger waves in the 0.5-1.5m range. However, overhead waves (over 2m) are rare, occurring less than 3% of the time. Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 7% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds (typically from the E or SE). The prevailing winds are onshore (WSW-SW), which can create chop and reduce wave quality. Stronger winds (20-30kph) are common, particularly from the SW-WSW, further limiting clean surf opportunities. Overall, July is a mixed month—good for beginners when small and clean, but advanced surfers will need patience for the occasional well-lined-up WSW swell with lighter winds.