Turtles - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (May - September)

The heart of the dry season brings the Indian Ocean to life with a powerful pulse of long-period groundswell. During these months, the trade winds lock in from the east-northeast quadrant, blowing strong and consistently offshore – grooming the waves into pristine, hollow walls. Average swell heights climb to 2.0-2.2m with periods of 14s, originating mostly from the S-SSW direction. While the ideal swell angle for Turtles is SW-W, the sheer size and energy of these southerly pulses, combined with glassy conditions, deliver some of the most surfable and exciting waves of the year. Consistent offshore winds dominate 56 to 82 percent of the time, making this the prime window for dedicated surf trips.

Fair Surf Season (March, April, October, November)

These transition months straddle the shift between monsoon regimes and offer a mixed bag of conditions. March and December see the tail end of the wet season, with onshore westerly winds still frequent, but the swell direction often swings into the optimal SW-W band, giving high-quality, if less frequent, clean waves. April, October, and November are characterized by a strengthening or fading easterly flow, creating many days of offshore wind – especially in November – but the swell direction tends to favor S-SSW, which is less direct. Wave heights average 1.6-1.9m with long periods, so when the swell angle lines up with a clear wind window, the surf can be world-class.

Low Surf Season (December - February)

The northwest monsoon season sets up a challenging environment for Turtles. Persistent onshore winds from the NW-WNW dominate the wind rose, blowing over 60% of the time, which chops up the wave faces. Swell is still present – mostly from the SSW-SW range with average heights of 1.6-1.7m and periods of 12s – but the wind-ruined conditions severely limit quality. Ideal offshore days account for only 17-19% of the time. This is the quietest period for surf, best suited for those chasing the rare clean window or happy with marginal, windy waves.

November: Clean Winds, Shifting Swell

November sees the trade winds begin to weaken, but ideal wind percentage remains high at 73%. Winds blow from ESE (25.0%), SE (33.7%), and E (4.1%), still mostly offshore. Swell height averages 1.6m with a period of 12.9s. The swell direction shows a more mixed profile: S (44.0%), SSW (45.4%), and a notable increase in SW (6.8%). This marks the beginning of the swell angle swinging back into the optimal window. The waves are still fun and punchy, with many days offering clean, rippable conditions. November is a great month for those who prefer slightly smaller but cleaner waves, with the chance for an occasional strong SW swell.