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.

July at South Wall, Ballina offers consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.4m and a solid period of 10.8s, producing clean, well-spaced waves. The dominant swell directions are from the SSE, SE, and ESE, contributing to 1-2.5m waves for most sessions—ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. The wind is favorable 52% of the time, primarily light to moderate (10-20kph) from the W, WSW, and NW, which can groom the swell into clean faces. However, stronger SW-WSW winds occasionally create choppy conditions. Expect the best sessions when SSE swells (16.82% in the 1-1.5m range) coincide with lighter offshore or cross-shore winds. Overall, July delivers reliable waves with good shaping potential, though wind variations require timing for optimal conditions.