Shipwreck Beach - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (December - February)

The heart of winter delivers the most consistent and powerful surf of the year. Average swell heights peak at 2.4m with long-period energy (12s+), fueled by the North Pacific storm track. The dominant NNW and NNE swells wrap effectively around the island, producing clean, hollow lines. Offshore winds from the north blow 22-26% of the time, creating prime conditions. While direct south swell is scarce, the sheer size and period of these northern pulses make for heavy, fast walls that are the highlight of the year.

Fair Surf Season (March, April, October, November)

The transitional months offer a mix of leftover winter power and early-season groundswell. March and April still see average heights around 2.1-2.3m, with periods in the 10-11s range, but the frequency of ideal offshore winds drops to 18-21%. October and November mark the return of consistent swell as autumn lows intensify, with heights climbing from 1.9m to 2.3m. The trade-wind influence is slightly less aggressive than summer, offering more windows of clean surf. Swell directions remain predominantly from the northern half of the compass.

Low Surf Season (May - September)

Summer brings the doldrums. Average swell heights fall to 1.7-1.8m and periods drop below 10s, resulting in weak, wind-affected surf. The persistent ENE trade winds blow over 50% of the time, generating choppy, cross-shore conditions. Ideal offshore wind days shrink to 11-20%, making clean waves a rarity. The swell that does arrive is mainly short-period easterly windswell, which lacks the power and organization to produce quality waves at this south-facing beach. This is the time for other activities or a crowd-free session if you can find a rare clean window.

November: Winter Intensity Returns

The North Atlantic (Pacific) storm machine fully activates. Average swell height climbs to 2.3m with a period of 11.1s, delivering powerful groundswell events. Swell direction shifts squarely to the northern quadrants: NNE (13.9%), NE (14.8%), ENE (19.4%), and a solid NNW (9.7%). The wrapping process is efficient, and waves of 1.5-2.5m are common, breaking with speed and power. Ideal offshore wind odds are 21% – not massive, but the quality of the swell often overcomes a little bump. The ENE trade wind still dominates at 48.1%, but there are more frontal passages that bring northerly outflow. November is a prime month for experienced surfers to score overhead, pumping waves if they can read the synoptic charts. It’s a month of consistently good surf – only held back by the persistent trades.