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.

In June, St Ives offers fairly consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.2m and a solid period of 9.2s, providing clean, well-spaced waves suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers. The dominant swell direction is from the west (W, WSW, and WNW), contributing the largest and most frequent waves, particularly in the 1-2.5m range. Westerly swells make up a significant portion of the conditions, with W swells alone accounting for over 20% of waves in the 0.5-1m range and nearly 19% in the 1-1.5m range. While bigger swells (2m+) are less frequent, they do occur, mostly from W and WNW directions. Wind conditions are challenging, with only 17% of days offering ideal offshore or light-cross winds, mostly from the east (E, ENE). The prevailing winds are from the southwest (SW, WSW), which can create choppy or onshore conditions, particularly at higher speeds (20-30kph). Surfers should watch for rare clean days when winds swing easterly, enhancing wave quality. Overall, June provides rideable waves regularly, but scoring optimal conditions requires patience and favorable wind alignment.