Telescopes - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (May - September)

The dry season at Telescopes delivers the most consistent surf conditions year after year. As the Australian winter intensifies, a persistent high-pressure system over the Great Australian Bight pumps long-period southern hemi groundswell into the Indian Ocean. Combined with the steady southeast trade winds that blow offshore at this WNW-facing reef, these months offer the highest probability of clean, rippable waves. Average wave heights climb to a solid 1.2-1.4 m with periods often exceeding 14 s, meaning powerful, lined-up sets. The 'green room' is definitely possible when the swell bumps up to 1.5-2 m. Wind consistency is excellent – ideal wind percentages hover between 50-60%, primarily from SE and ESE, grooming the surface to perfection. This is prime time for logging sessions and high-performance surfing alike.

Fair Surf Season (April & October)

April and October serve as transition months between the wet and dry monsoons. The trades begin to weaken and become more variable, and the swell energy from the Southern Ocean is still present but a notch down in period and size. In April, ideal wind runs about 35% of the time – enough to score good sessions if you pick your days. October sees a return of the trades after the monsoon trough shifts, but the swell direction starts to trend more southerly, which can lead to wrap-around conditions. These months require a bit more patience and attention to the forecast, but solid surf can be found, especially when a late-season cyclone or a lingering swell train aligns with clean wind windows.

Low Surf Season (November - March)

The winter monsoon (November through March) is the most challenging period for surfing at Telescopes. The north-west monsoon flow brings a dominance of onshore winds from the NW, W, and WNW quadrants – exactly the directions that ruin wave quality at this spot. While the average swell height sits around 1.0 m and the period is still decent (12-13 s), the swell comes almost exclusively from the SSW to SW (over 90% of the time). Unfortunately, these southerly swell directions do not wrap optimally into the WNW-facing reef, often resulting in weak, sectiony waves or closeouts. On top of that, ideal offshore wind percentages drop to a dismal 22-32%, and the frequent onshore winds create choppy, bumpy surfaces. The rare good day occurs when a high-pressure cell pushes from the south, clearing skies and turning winds easterly. But these windows are fleeting and often accompanied by smaller swell. For the dedicated surfer, it is a waiting game – but the potential for a quality set wave exists when the stars align.

August: Peak Power

August is the pinnacle of the dry season. Average swell height hits 1.4 m – the highest of the year – with a period of 14.5 s. Ideal wind percentage reaches 60%, meaning nearly two-thirds of the time the wind is offshore. The SE trades peak at 26.5% of the wind distribution, with SSE close behind at 18.4%. These are the prime offshore directions. Swell composition changes notably: S swell now accounts for 42.3% of the total, while SSW is at 53.7%. This is the best mix for Telescopes because southerly swells wrap in with extra consistency. Wave heights are impressive – 29.3% of S swell is in the 1-1.5 m range, and 11.2% in the 1.5-2 m range. From SSW, 37.1% is 1-1.5 m and 13.7% is 1.5-2 m. The combination of strong trades and powerful groundswell creates epic conditions: clean, glassy faces, long rides, and barrels when the swell pushes above 2 m. August is without question the best month for serious surf at Telescopes.