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.

November: Summer Approaches

November sees the Bommie slide further into the low season. Average swell height drops slightly to 1.7m, and the average period bottoms out at 7.9s – the shortest of the year alongside December. Swell direction shifts toward NE and ENE, which together account for over 26% of the energy. These are short-period, wind-affected waves that rarely stand up on the reef. Southern quadrant swells (S, SSE, SSW) still make up about 31% of the total, but they are often accompanied by onshore S or SSE winds. Ideal offshore wind conditions occur only 38% of the time. When a south swell does coincide with a NW wind, you might enjoy a few decent waves, but expect inconsistent, groveling conditions otherwise. The Bommie is best reserved for small-wave gear and a low-pressure approach.