Rockaway-Manzanita - surf spot statistics

Rockaway-Manzanita in the United States offers varying surf conditions throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns. The best months for surfing are typically winter and early spring, particularly from November through February. During these months, ground swells dominate, averaging 60-72% of the time, with mean swell heights ranging from 1.4 to 1.6 meters. These conditions provide consistent and sizable waves, making it ideal for experienced surfers. However, wind conditions during this period are often unfavorable, with bad winds occurring 77-79% of the time, which can create choppy or messy waves. The late fall months (October and November) and early spring (March) offer a balance of decent ground swells (47-64%) and slightly better wind conditions compared to mid-winter, though wind quality remains challenging. Summer months (May through August) are the least favorable, with minimal ground swells (9-25%) and smaller waves (0.6-0.8 meters), compounded by consistently poor wind conditions (86-88% bad winds). September and October mark the transition back to better surf, with increasing ground swells and marginal improvements in wind quality. For the most reliable waves, surfers should target late fall and winter, accepting the likelihood of less-than-ideal winds, while summer is best avoided unless seeking very small, wind-affected conditions.

Rockaway-Manzanita in July typically offers small to moderate surf conditions, with an average swell height of 0.6m and a decent period of 9.2s, suggesting some energy in the waves despite their modest size. The dominant swell direction is from the WNW and NW, which tends to produce the best waves at this break, with the largest portion of waves (11.32%) in the 1-1.5m range coming from the WNW and smaller contributions from the NW and WSW. Wind conditions are generally mixed, with offshore or light winds ideal for surfing only 12% of the time. The most common winds come from the N and NNW, often blowing at 10-30kph, which can create choppy or less favorable conditions, especially if strong. While there are occasional clean days, surfers should expect mostly small, wind-affected waves in July, with the best chances for rideable conditions occurring when WNW swells coincide with lighter winds. It’s not a high-performance month, but patient surfers can still find fun, waist-high waves when conditions align.