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Wilderness - surf spot statistics
Wilderness seasonal overview
Wilderness, South Africa, offers consistent surf year-round, but the best conditions typically occur between April and August. During these months, ground swell dominates (62-72% probability), providing cleaner, more organized waves compared to wind swell, which is less favorable. Mean swell size is also most reliable in this period, averaging 2.2-2.4m, with June and July seeing the largest waves (2.3-2.4m). Wind conditions improve significantly from May to July, with good winds occurring 27-31% of the time—still not ideal, but better than other months when bad winds dominate (69-86% probability). The worst months for surfing are January, February, October, November, and December due to higher wind swell influence (53-62%) and poor wind conditions (81-86% bad winds). Swell size drops slightly in these periods (2.0-2.2m) with less ground swell contribution. March and September offer transitional conditions, with March slightly better due to higher ground swell likelihood (56%) and marginally improved winds. Overall, mid-autumn to mid-winter (April-August) is prime for experienced surfers seeking quality waves, despite still challenging wind patterns. For those prioritizing cleaner conditions, June and July stand out, though patience with wind is required.
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Conditions at Wilderness in April
April in Wilderness, South Africa, offers solid surf conditions with an average swell height of 2.2m and a decent period of 11.2s, indicating powerful, well-spaced waves. The swell direction is predominantly from the SSW (31.13% of waves in the 1.5-2.5m range), which suits the spot well, providing consistent, clean lines. Smaller swells from the SE and S also contribute, adding variety. Wind conditions are a mixed bag—only 22% of the time is ideal (light offshore or sideshore), mostly from the ENE or NE. However, stronger onshore winds from the NNE and SSW are common (10-30kph), which can degrade wave quality. Overall, April delivers good surf with a mix of mid-sized to larger waves, but wind interference means patience is key for the best sessions.
Average Spot conditions at Wilderness in April
Swell history for April
0 - 0.5
0.5 - 1
1 - 1.5
1.5 - 2.0
2.0 - 2.5
> 2.5 m
Wind history for April
0 - 10
10 - 20
20 - 30
30 - 40
40 - 50
> 50 km/h
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Wilderness during April. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Wilderness for your next trip in April.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Wilderness for April. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Wilderness.