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.

May in St Ives offers surfable conditions, though with some variability. The average swell height sits at 1.2m, paired with a decent 9.6s period, suggesting generally clean, organized waves best suited for intermediate surfers. The dominant swell directions are W and WNW, contributing to the majority of rideable waves (1-2.5m range), while smaller or weaker swells from other directions occur less frequently. Wind conditions are a mixed bag—only 15% of the time is it ideal (offshore or light cross-shore), primarily from easterly quarters (E, ENE, NE). However, prevailing winds from the SW and WSW often bring onshore chop, especially at higher speeds (20-30kph), which can degrade wave quality. For the best sessions, watch for W/WNW swells with lighter NE winds. While bigger days (2m+) are possible, they’re less common (~12% of the time), so expect mostly waist-to-head-high waves with occasional punchy sets.