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.

January: The Summer Lull

January at The Pass is a lesson in patience. The average swell height of 1.5m is largely swamped by a relentless E-ESE swell (over 48% of the total), with barely any contribution from the optimal N-NE directions. The wave period sits at a lackluster 8.6s, producing weak, crumbling lines. To make matters worse, offshore winds (SSW-SW) blow only 13% of the time, while the dominant N-NNE winds (27%) ruin the wave face. Expect choppy, onshore conditions unless a rare southerly busters sweep through. When the wind does swing offshore, the E swell cleans up into fun-sized 1-1.5m waves, but those windows are fleeting.