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.

May: Winter Kicks into Gear

May is when Seal Point hits its stride. Average swell height climbs to 2.9m with an average period of 12.2s, reflecting the full force of the Southern Ocean storm track. Swell direction sees a peak in SW (17.9%) and SSW (13.7%), with a notable increase in WSW (1.4%) indicating more west in the swell, which is excellent for the east-facing bay. The wind situation improves dramatically: onshore E and ENE winds drop to just 16% combined, while westerly winds dominate at 24.7% (W) and 14.1% (WSW). Ideal offshore wind now occurs 36% of the time, the highest since the start of the year. This is the prime month to chase clean, long-period SW groundswell with offshore W winds—expect solid, hollow waves at the point.