Sunset Beach - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Pacific awakens with the autumn equinox, and from October through March, Sunset Beach delivers the full power of the open ocean. This is the heart of the North Shore season, when strong extratropical storms marching across the Pacific generate long-period N, NW, and NNW swells that march directly into the beach. Average swell heights hover between 2.4m and 2.7m, with periods often exceeding 12 seconds – classic powerful, long-period groundswell. Offshore wind potential peaks during this window, with ideal easterly to southerly breezes (E, ESE, SE, SSE, S) blowing cleanly across the face for 22 to 27 percent of the time. When a high-pressure system sets up east of the islands and a low spins in the Gulf of Alaska, the combination yields pumping, hollow barrels. This is the time to score epic, heavy waves on the outer reefs.

Fair Surf Season (April, May, September)

During the transition months of April, May, and September, the swell window narrows but still offers rideable waves. Spring sees the North Pacific storms weaken, resulting in average heights dropping to 1.8–2.2m and periods shortening to around 9–10 seconds. The dominant swell direction shifts to NE and ENE, which are less optimal for Sunset's NW exposure, but occasional longer-period NW pulses can still sneak in. April and May see a moderate increase in offshore trade winds from the east, with ideal wind percentages at 16–21%, often grooming the swell for clean though smaller surf. September marks the beginning of the autumn uptick, with average swell height climbing back to 1.7m and period increasing to 9.2s; some early North Pacific storms start to send the first solid NW lines. The wind consistency also improves, making September a promising transition month for those looking to beat the winter crowds.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer is the quiet season at Sunset Beach. The North Pacific storm track retreats north, leaving the islands at the mercy of the northeast trade winds. These generate predominantly short-period, wind-driven swell from the ENE and E, with average heights around 1.6–1.7m and periods a meager 7.8–8.2 seconds. The sea is often choppy, low, and messy as onshore winds from the north and northwest blow directly onto the beach – ideal wind percentages plummet to between 9 and 14 percent. The swell that does arrive is small, groveling, and rarely breaks with any power. However, if a tropical system or a rare southern hemisphere swell aligns, there can be brief windows of fun-sized waves. For the most part, summer is a time to explore other spots or enjoy the beach without the crowds, while the notorious Sunset barrels are sleeping.

May: Trade Wind Dominance

May solidifies the spring pattern with an average swell height of 1.8m and a period of 9.2 seconds. The swell is almost entirely from the ENE (32.9%) and E (20.3%), with only a tiny percentage from the NW (0.9%) and NNW (6.1%). This is small, fun-sized, groveling surf at best. The wave period barely exceeds 9 seconds, meaning the waves lack the power to break with any real authority on Sunset's reefs. Wind ideal percentage rebounds slightly to 21%, thanks to a stronger presence of offshore Easterlies (39.0% from E, 34.9% from ENE). These winds keep the ocean surface glassy in the mornings, but the lack of swell quality limits the wave count. Occasionally, a late-season NW swell from a lingering Aleutian low can produce a few overhead days, but they are rare. May is a month for longboarders or those happy to cruise on smaller, roly-poly waves. It's also a great time to practice and explore other breaks along the North Shore.