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.

December: Monsoon Low

December is the bottom of the surf calendar at Telescopes. Ideal wind percentage is the lowest of the year at 22%. Onshore winds dominate: NW 19.3%, WNW 17.1%, W 9.9% – all directly ruining the surf. The average swell height retreats to 1.0 m with a period of 12.6 s. Swell direction is 56% SSW, 25.8% SW, and 9.2% S. The wave heights are mostly in the 0.5-1 m range (35.4% from SSW, 9% from SW), with some 1-1.5 m (20.5% from SSW). The few optimal swell directions (W, WNW, NW) add up to only 1.9%, so even when the wind does go offshore, the swell is usually weak and short-period. December is a month for small-wave gear and patience. The occasional swell from a tropical low in the Indian Ocean can bring a fun day, but it is a gamble. If you are planning a trip, aim for the dry season.