Wickaninnish - surf spot statistics

Wickaninnish in Canada is a world-class surf spot known for its powerful and consistent waves, with conditions varying significantly throughout the year. The best months for surfing at this spot are generally from October through March, when ground swells dominate and swell sizes are largest. During this period, ground swell percentages are highest (69-87%), ensuring clean, powerful waves with mean swell sizes ranging from 1.5m to 2.1m. The winter months, particularly December, January, and February, offer the biggest waves (1.9-2.1m) and the highest likelihood of ground swells, but wind conditions are often challenging, with only 32-35% of days having favorable winds. Fall (September-November) can be a sweet spot, balancing decent swell size (1.5-1.9m) and slightly better wind conditions (30-36% good winds). Spring and summer (April-August) see a decline in ground swells (50-73%) and smaller waves (0.9-1.5m), along with poor wind conditions (only 21-31% good wind days). July and August are the least favorable, with the smallest waves and the highest percentage of bad winds. If you're seeking the most consistent and powerful surf, target the winter months, but be prepared for tougher winds. For slightly more manageable conditions with still-solid waves, late fall and early winter (October-December) are ideal.

November at Wickaninnish delivers solid surf conditions, characterized by consistent swells and variable winds. The average swell height is 1.9m with a strong period of 12.2s, indicating powerful, well-spaced waves that are ideal for experienced surfers. The dominant swell directions are WSW (31.5% of waves in the 1-2.5m range) and SW (13.2% in the same range), offering clean, lined-up waves when paired with favorable winds. However, wind conditions are hit-or-miss: only 30% of days provide ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds (typically from the NE quadrant), while E/SE winds (10-30kph) are more common, creating choppy or textured surfaces. Bigger swells (2m+) are relatively rare (around 15% of days), but when they arrive, the long period ensures heavy, barreling waves. Windswell is minimal, so most days rely on groundswell energy. For advanced surfers, November is a prime month—just watch for those E/SE winds to swing offshore for the best sessions.