Spessard Holland - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (November - March)

The winter months deliver the most consistent and quality surf at Spessard Holland. As the Atlantic storm track shifts southward, a steady procession of extratropical cyclones spins up deep low-pressure systems, firing long-period swell from the optimal NNE through E window. Combined with a higher frequency of offshore winds from the SSW-WSW quadrant, these months offer the best chance of clean, punchy waves in the fun to good size range (0.5-1.5m). November stands out with the highest average swell height (1.0m) and a period often stretching into the 8-9 second range, providing plenty of push.

Fair Surf Season (April, May, September, October)

Transitional months see a decline in both swell size and wind consistency. Spring (April-May) brings a gradual weakening of the North Atlantic storm machine, with average heights dropping to 0.7-0.8m. While occasional cold fronts can still deliver decent ENE to E swell, the percentage of offshore wind drops below 20%, making clean sessions harder to come by. Autumn (September-October) sees a resurgence: September averages 0.8m with a respectable 9.0s period, and October ramps up to 0.9m as the first autumn storms organize. However, the wind remains fickle, with ideal conditions only around 14-16% of the time. Expect mixed bag days with onshore seabreezes often ruining the afternoon session.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

The summer doldrums hit Spessard Holland hard. From June through August, the average swell height plummets to 0.5-0.6m, and periods hover around 7.6-8.1 seconds. The dominant swell direction becomes overwhelmingly east to southeast (E and ESE account for over 60% of swells), which, while in the window, often arrives with weak, windswell-like energy. More critically, the region comes under the influence of persistent high pressure, driving a relentless easterly trade wind flow that is directly onshore for this east-facing beach. Offshore wind percentages drop to 11-14%, making any rideable wave a rare treat. Expect mostly small, groveling conditions unless a tropical system or distant hurricane swell lines up – a low-probability event.

November: Peak of the Season

November is the crown jewel at Spessard Holland, averaging 1.0m swell with a period of 8.6s. Swell distribution is the most balanced of the year: ENE (31.1%), E (24.4%), NE (19.4%), and even NNE (8.8%) – all optimal directions. The increased frequency of longer-period groundswell means waves are often pumping at 1-1.5m with occasional sets in the 1.5-2m range. Ideal wind improves to 17%, but the real story is the higher proportion of westerly wind events that clean up the surf. Early winter storms spinning up in the North Atlantic deliver powerful swell trains, and a well-timed high-pressure ridge can provide glassy mornings. November offers the best chance for memorable, high-quality sessions in the fun to heavy range.