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.

February at South Wall, Ballina, offers a mix of conditions with an average swell height of 1.6m and a solid period of 9.9s, which generally translates to well-formed, surfable waves. The majority of swell comes from the E to SE (roughly 65% of the time in the 1-2.5m range), providing consistent energy with occasional larger sets, particularly from the SE. The wind is favorable for surfing only 22% of the time, often blowing from the NE to ESE at 10-20kph, which can create clean or slightly textured conditions depending on strength and tide. Stronger SSE winds (over 20kph) occur around 12% of the time, potentially making it choppy or blown out. Smaller days (under 1m) are rare, while larger days (2m+) are more frequent but still manageable for experienced surfers. Expect mostly mid-sized surf with some quality sessions when winds align light offshore or cross-shore, particularly early mornings before NE sea breezes kick in. Windswell from the E/SE dominates, but the spot handles it well due to the decent period. Patience is key—wait for lighter winds and the right tide for the best waves.