The Pass - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (April - August)

As the subtropical highs settle over the Tasman Sea, autumn and early winter deliver the most consistent recipe for quality waves at The Pass. The dominant E to SSE swell trains, though not directly optimal for the NNE-facing beach, interact beautifully with frequent SSW to S offshore winds. These winds groom the long-period groundswell into clean, rippable lines. April kicks off with a 25% offshore wind frequency, climbing to a peak of 29% in May, while June and July maintain excellent conditions with average wave periods of 9.6 seconds—punchy enough to light up the point. The combination of solid 1.5-1.7m swell and light offshore breezes makes these months prime for logging long rides on the inside bank.

Fair Surf Season (March & September)

These transitional months offer a mixed bag. March sees the lingering summer heat with a 18% offshore wind window, but the swell mix is still dominated by E-ESE energy that can get bumpy on onshore N-NNE winds. September mirrors spring's shift, with offshore winds dropping to 17% as the trade winds begin to strengthen. Periods hover around 9 seconds, and while you won't score pumping sets every day, the shoulder-to-head-high waves are fun for the grovel board when the wind plays nice.

Low Surf Season (October - February)

Summer and early autumn are a battle against the prevailing onshore flow. From October through February, the wind is favorable only 12-15% of the time, with howling N to NNE breezes ruining the surface. The swell is almost entirely from the east quadrant (E, ESE, SE), delivering short-period, choppy conditions that are largely unrideable without a cyclone swell. Despite average heights of 1.5m, the lack of offshore wind and shorter 8-9s periods result in messy, crumbly waves best left to the kooks. If you must surf, target a strong southerly change that flips the wind offshore, but don't expect magic.

April: Autumn Gold

April is the start of the prime window at The Pass. With 25% offshore winds and an average period of 9.2s, the surf becomes more organized. The dominant E-ESE swell (45%) still isn't ideal, but the increased S-SSW wind patterns (21%) produce clean, groomed faces. The average height holds at 1.7m, but the period allows for longer rides down the point. This is when the fun, rippable waves begin to show up consistently, especially in the late afternoon when the sea breeze kicks offshore. Expect shoulder-high waves with occasional head-high sets.