Windang Island - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (May - September)

Austral autumn and winter deliver the most consistent and high-quality surf to Windang Island. As the South Pacific storm track intensifies, long-period groundswells from the SE to SSE quadrant become dominant, often generated by powerful mid-latitude lows south of Australia. The average wave period climbs to 9.5-9.7 seconds, providing punchy, rippable waves in the 1-2.5m range. Crucially, the percentage of ideal offshore winds (from the W to NW) peaks at 35-38%, ensuring clean, groomed faces. This is the window for the island's best waves: powerful, lined-up sets with minimal onshore contamination.

Fair Surf Season (March - April & October)

The transition months offer a mixed bag but can produce phenomenal sessions when conditions align. March and April see a lingering summer swell mix with early winter groundswells, while October bridges the gap back towards summer. The average swell height remains solid at 1.6-1.7m, but the period drops slightly to 8.7-9.4 seconds, meaning more chop and less power. Ideal wind frequencies range from 25-33%, so you'll need to pick your windows. When a westerly change coincides with a solid SSE swell, the result can be glassy, hollow waves peeling off the island.

Low Surf Season (November - February)

Summer brings a significant downturn in surf quality at Windang Island. The dominant swell shifts east and northeast, with shorter periods (8.3-8.8s) and a higher proportion of windswell. The average height stays around 1.5-1.6m, but the consistency of clean, offshore conditions plummets to just 19-23% of the time. Onshore seabreezes from the E to SE are the norm, creating bumpy, blown-out surf. While occasional groundswell pulses from a distant cyclone or Tasman low can light up the island, these events are rare. Expect small, grovelly conditions most days, best reserved for beginners or the easily amused.

December: Summer Arrives – Small, Choppy, and Grovelly

December is the official start of summer, and the surf at Windang Island reflects that. The average swell height drops to 1.5m (the lowest of the year) and the period is a short 8.4 seconds. Swell direction is heavily skewed to the east: ENE (17.1%), E (13.3%), SE (14.3%), and SSE (18.0%). While SSE swells still contribute, they are often windswell from local sea breezes rather than groundswell. Ideal wind frequency is just 22%, with the wind rose showing a strong presence of NNE (12.0%), NE (12.1%), and N (11.1%) winds. Onshore seabreezes are the daily norm, often starting mid-morning. The average wave height distribution shows a high percentage in the 0.5-1m and 1-1.5m range – fun for groveling but nothing to get excited about. The rare distant tropical cyclone or strong winter-like front can produce a pulse of solid swell, but these are the exception. For most of December, expect small, messy waves best suited for longboards or foils. The best chance for clean surf is an early morning session before the seabreeze fills in, or a southerly change that brings a brief window of offshore NW wind.