St Ives - surf spot statistics

St Ives in the United Kingdom offers surfable conditions year-round, but the best months for quality waves and favorable winds are typically from late autumn through early spring, particularly November to February. During these months, ground swell dominates (65-82%), providing more consistent and powerful waves with mean swell sizes ranging from 2.0m to 2.4m. However, wind conditions are often challenging, with bad onshore winds prevailing 88-91% of the time, which can make sessions messy. The prime window is likely December to February when ground swell percentages peak, but surfers must be prepared for strong winds. Spring (April-June) and summer (July-August) see a significant drop in ground swell activity, replaced by wind swell (42-77%) and smaller waves (1.1-1.4m). While wind conditions improve slightly (15-17% good winds), the lack of consistent ground swell makes sessions weaker and less reliable. September and October mark a transitional period, with ground swell increasing again (37-53%) and better wave energy returning (1.3-1.7m). For surfers seeking cleaner conditions, these shoulder months might offer occasional good days, though wind remains a limiting factor. Overall, winter delivers the most powerful waves, but patience is required to score optimal wind alignment.

August in St Ives delivers fairly modest surf conditions, primarily influenced by swells from the west and southwest, which dominate the wave distribution. The average swell height is 1.1m with a decent period of 8.9s, suggesting some consistency in wave energy, though size remains relatively small. Over 50% of waves fall within the 0.5-1.5m range, with the largest proportion (24.38%) arriving from the west at 0.5-1m—indicating a prevalence of waist-high surf. Bigger waves (1.5m+) are less frequent but most likely from SW-WSW directions, accounting for about 12-14% of occurrences. Wind conditions are a mixed bag, with only 16% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds. The predominant winds are westerlies (WSW-W), often blowing 10-30kph, which can create chop, though lighter winds (0-20kph) do occur around 30-40% of the time from various directions. For surfers, this means August is best suited for beginners or those happy with smaller, playful waves, with occasional clean sessions when winds align favorably. Keep an eye on SW-W swells combined with lighter NNE-E winds for the best chances of quality rides.