South Wall Ballina - surf spot statistics

South Wall in Ballina, Australia, offers a mix of ground and wind swells throughout the year, with no completely flat periods. The best months for surfing are typically between May and August, when ground swells dominate (52-61% of the time) and wind conditions improve, particularly in June, July, and August when good winds occur 48-53% of the time. These months also provide consistent swell sizes averaging 1.2-1.5m, making them the most reliable for quality surf. Outside this window, conditions are less favorable, with higher percentages of wind swells (up to 73% in November) and stronger onshore winds, particularly from January to April and September to December. The worst wind conditions occur in February (78% bad winds) and December (71% bad winds), while swell quality is weaker in late spring and early summer. For surfers seeking cleaner, more powerful waves, the winter months (June-August) are ideal, offering a balance of favorable swell direction and lighter winds compared to the rest of the year.

April at South Wall Ballina offers consistent surfing conditions with an average swell height of 1.4m and a solid period of 10.5s, producing well-formed, powerful waves suited for intermediate to advanced surfers. The dominant swell directions are from the east-southeast (ESE) and southeast (SE), contributing the majority of rideable waves in the 1-2.5m range, with occasional larger sets. While smaller waves (0.5-1.5m) are frequent, there's a good chance of scoring overhead waves, particularly when ESE swells push into the 1.5-2.5m range. Wind conditions are variable, with offshore or light winds ideal for surfing occurring 32% of the time—most commonly from the west-northwest (WNW) and west (W) in the 10-20kph range. However, moderate to strong onshore winds from the southeast (SE) and east-southeast (ESE) can occasionally disrupt conditions, especially when paired with larger swells. The spot handles southerly swells (SSE-S) reasonably well, though they are less frequent. Overall, April provides reliable waves with a mix of clean and choppy days, favoring surfers who can adapt to shifting wind and swell dynamics.