Seal Point - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (May - July)

The heart of winter sees the Southern Ocean roar to life, sending consistent, long-period groundswells marching toward the Cape. Average wave heights peak at a solid 3.1m with periods averaging 12.4–12.5s, offering a steady diet of powerful, well-structured lines. Offshore wind potential also hits its annual high at 36–37 percent, driven by frequent cold fronts that deliver clean W to NW winds in their wake. This is when Seal Point truly fires, with overlapping SW and SSW swells wrapping perfectly into the bay.

Fair Surf Season (April, August - September)

Shoulder months bring a slight drop in consistency but still offer excellent potential. April averages 2.7m at 11.8s, while August and September hold onto 3.0–3.1m with periods around 12s. Ideal wind percentages cool to 28–31 percent, meaning more onshore days from the E and ENE. However, when a strong high-pressure system sits just south and a cold front passes, the windows of W/NW wind align with the remaining SW groundswell, producing firing sessions.

Low Surf Season (October - March)

Spring and summer bring a noticeable lull in size and consistency. Average wave heights dip to 2.4–2.6m and periods drop to 10.9–11.1s. The wind pattern becomes dominated by persistent E and ENE breezes, blowing directly onshore and ruining wave quality. Ideal offshore wind frequency falls to 21–25 percent. While occasional long-period pulses from distant storms in the Southern Ocean can still deliver pumping days, they are often accompanied by poor wind. Patience and careful timing are essential during these months.

January: Summer Lull with Glimmers of Power

January settles into a classic South African summer pattern. Swell heights average 2.4m with periods around 10.9s, indicating a mix of mid-period groundswell and windswell. The dominant swell directions are SSW (19.7%) and SW (18.9%), providing the bulk of the energy, though these are not perfectly aligned with the ideal east-southeast exposure—some wrap-around is required. Smaller contributions from S and SSE add variety. However, the wind is the main spoiler: ENE (10.7%), E (19.0%), and ESE (10.0%) combine to blow onshore over 40% of the time, with speeds frequently in the 20–30kph range. Offshore wind from the W quadrant only accounts for 22% of the time, mostly light W and WSW. This means clean conditions are fleeting. Look for days when a passing cold front flips the wind to W or WNW, turning the messy onshore bumps into groomed, rippable walls.