State's Avenue - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life during these months, with average swell heights holding steady between 1.3m and 1.4m and periods averaging 7.0-7.7 seconds. A powerful climatological uptick in extratropical storm activity drives consistent, punchy swell from the S through WSW windows. Meanwhile, offshore winds from the NW quadrant dominate, blowing clean and groomed lines onto the SSE-facing beach. December and January see the highest frequency of ideal wind (28%), often paired with crisp high pressure over the continent. When the right combination aligns, long-period groundswell wraps in with sunny skies and light offshore breezes -- that is when State's Avenue truly comes alive.

Fair Surf Season (April - May, September)

Transition months bring a mixed bag. April and May still see a notable presence of S and SSW swell (up to 16.9% and 17.9% respectively), but average wave heights dip slightly to 1.1-1.2m and periods hover around 7.2-7.3s. Offshore wind percentages drop to the low 20s, and onshore SSW breezes become more frequent, especially in the afternoon. September offers a glimmer of hope as longer periods return (8.4s average) and the first autumn cold fronts begin to stir the ocean. However, swell directions shift more easterly, reducing the number of truly clean days. These months reward patience and a willingness to pick the windows when synoptic patterns align.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer settles in with average wave heights bottoming out at 0.9m and short, weak periods averaging 7.0s. The dominant swell comes from the SSE and S, which, while large in percentage, are often accompanied by onshore SSW winds that tear up the surface. Ideal wind drops to a meager 14-16% during these months, and the persistent thermal low over the interior pumps in afternoon sea breezes from the SW. The result is generally small, choppy conditions best suited for a log or a groveler. Early mornings can occasionally offer clean, fun-sized waves before the wind shifts, but consistent quality is hard to come by.

September: Autumn Stirrings

September marks a significant shift: average swell height rises to 1.2m, and the average period leaps to 8.4s, the highest of the year. The swell direction distribution begins to spread out, with E (17.7%), ESE (18.0%), and SE (17.0%) becoming prominent. These directions are not ideal for State's Avenue, as they tend to produce waves that are less focused and more wind-affected. However, the longer period brings more power when the swell does wrap in. Ideal wind returns to 28%, with NE (8.2%) and NNE (5.3%) providing some offshore flow. SSW winds (11.4%) are still common but less dominant than in summer. September is a month of anticipation -- the ocean is starting to wake up, and the occasional early-season extratropical storm can deliver a solid, clean day if the wind aligns.