Wilderness - surf spot statistics

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.

November at Wilderness delivers consistent surf with an average swell height of **2.2m** and a solid period of **9.9s**, offering powerful, well-formed waves ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. The dominant swell directions are **SSW, S, and SE**, with the highest frequency of surfable waves (1.5m+) coming from the SSW (28.8% of the time) and S (9.7% of the time). These swells produce clean, lined-up waves with good energy, particularly in the **1.5–2.5m range**, which accounts for the majority of conditions. Wind quality is somewhat variable—only **15% of days** have ideal offshore winds (typically light ENE or E breezes). However, strong NNE/NE winds (10–50+ kph) are common, creating choppy or cross-shore conditions, especially during frontal systems. For the best sessions, watch for lighter E/ENE winds coinciding with SSW/S swell, which will groom the peaks for optimal performance. While bigger days (over 2.5m) are less frequent, they offer powerful, hollow sections for experienced surfers, particularly on S/SSW swells. Plan for dawn patrols to beat the afternoon wind surges.