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.

August at South Wall, Ballina offers consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.2m and a solid 11s period, providing quality waves with good energy. The dominant swell directions are SSE (18.5% of waves in the 1-1.5m range) and SE (11.4% in the same range), contributing to well-organized, rideable conditions. Larger swells (1.5-2m+) are less frequent but present, particularly from the SSE (9.96%) and SE (4.67%), offering occasional punchier waves for advanced surfers. Wind conditions are favorable 53% of the time, with the best scenarios coming from light to moderate offshore winds (W, WSW, and NW directions at 10-20kph). However, stronger westerlies (W at 20-30kph in 12.13% of cases) can occasionally create chop. Overall, August delivers reliable surf, with the best sessions occurring when mid-period SSE/SE swells align with lighter westerly winds—ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. Smaller, cleaner days (0.5-1.5m) are more common, while bigger days are rarer but worth watching for.