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.

September at Rhossili Bay offers varied conditions for surfers, with an average swell height of 0.8m and a decent period of 8.4s, providing reasonably clean and rideable waves. The dominant swell direction is WSW, which aligns well with the bay's exposure, contributing to 19-24% of waves in the 0.5-1.5m range—ideal for intermediate surfers. However, larger swells (1.5m+) are less frequent, occurring mostly from WSW and SW directions but still accounting for around 5-12% of conditions. Wind quality is marginal, with only 8% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds (typically from the NE quadrant). The prevailing winds are often onshore (SW-WSW), which can create choppier conditions, especially at higher speeds (20-30kph, 3-4% frequency). Surfers should target days with WSW swells and lighter NE winds for the best sessions, though consistency is limited. Smaller days (0.5-1m) are common, making it suitable for longboarding or beginners, while bigger swells are rare but possible.