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.

March: Autumn Transition Begins

March marks the beginning of the autumn transition. Swell heights hold at 2.5m but the period ticks up to 11.4s, hinting at longer-period energy arriving. The swell direction continues to favor SSW (18.3%) and SW (10.8%), with S (11.8%) also contributing. The slight uptick in period suggests more distant swell sources are becoming active. Wind patterns remain challenging: onshore ENE (14.7%) and E (17.6) still dominate, but there is a modest increase in W (16.6%) and WSW (15.7%) winds. The percentage of ideal offshore wind rises to 25%. This means that while many days are blown out, the windows of clean conditions become more frequent and longer-lasting. Keep an eye on synoptic charts for a strong high southeast of the country—this sets up classic offshore flow.