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.

March at South Wall Ballina offers decent surf conditions, with an average swell height of 1.5m and a solid period of 10.1s, providing well-formed, rideable waves. The dominant swell directions are ESE to SE, with the majority of waves falling in the 1-2.5m range, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers. The best sessions occur when the wind is favorable (31% of the time), typically light to moderate from the NE to SE, which keeps conditions clean. However, strong southerly winds (SSE to S) can sometimes create chop, affecting wave quality. Overall, March delivers consistent, mid-sized waves with enough power, but wind conditions will dictate daily surfability—early mornings often provide the cleanest sessions before onshore breezes pick up.