Ulladulla Bommie - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (April - September)

The Australian winter unleashes its full fury on the Tasman Sea, sending consistent long-period groundswells hammering into Ulladulla's southeast-facing reef. As deep low-pressure systems spin up in the Southern Ocean, they generate powerful S and SSE swells that hit the Bommie with 1.5-2.5m of heavy, lined-up surf. Periods often stretch into the 9-10 second range, providing the punch needed to light up the deep-water takeoff zone. Meanwhile, a persistent high-pressure ridge over the continent feeds cool, offshore NW winds, ensuring glassy conditions for peak performance. This is when the Bommie truly fires – expect pumping, rippable waves and consistent clean lines.

Fair Surf Season (March & October)

The shoulder months offer a mixed bag of potential. March still channels the tail-end of winter's energy, with decent S/SSE swell percentages and a rising chance of offshore NW winds. October marks the transition back to spring, when east-trade swells creep back in, but the Tasman still fires off the occasional south pulse. Wind patterns are less reliable – you'll need to pick your windows carefully. On the right day, you can score solid, fun-sized surf with lighter winds, but consistency takes a hit.

Low Surf Season (November - February)

Summer dominance of NE-E trade winds is the Bommie's kryptonite. These winds are mostly onshore, turning waves into choppy, short-period messes. The swell direction swings to ENE, NE, and E, delivering average heights around 1.7m but with periods barely scraping 8 seconds. While the occasional S swell sneaks through – usually from a Tasman low or tropical interaction – it's often ruined by accompanying SE or S winds. Only around 35% of the time do we see favorable offshore winds from the N-NW quadrant. Small, fun-sized waves are possible on light wind mornings, but this window is typically closed for serious surfing.

April: Winter Swells Begin to Build

April is a turning point for Ulladulla Bommie. The average swell height holds at 1.8m, but the period jumps to 9.0s – a significant improvement. Southern quadrant swells (SSE, S, and SSW) now account for over 34% of the wave energy, with S and SSE alone making up 31.9%. These are the long-period groundswells that the Bommie loves. Wind patterns shift dramatically: ideal offshore winds (NW, WNW, NNW) are present 45% of the time, as the Tasman high-pressure systems strengthen. The days of consistent summer trades are fading. Expect more frequent windows of 1.5-2.5m pumping south swell, groomed by cool offshore breezes. This is the month when the Bommie starts living up to its reputation.