Witches Rock - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (May - October)

The heart of the swell window swings open from May through October as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) pulses northward, firing up the South Pacific. This is when Witches Rock sees its most consistent and quality swell, with long-period groundswells from the SSW and SW dominating the lineup. The trade winds slacken, and the percentage of offshore wind (N, NNE, NE, ENE) hovers above 50%, often reaching over 60% in June, July, and August. Average wave heights sit in the fun 1-1.5m range, but pulses can push into pumping 1.5-2.5m territory, especially during strong cold fronts pushing out of the Southern Hemisphere. The combination of powerful, long-period swell (10-14s+) and clean glassy mornings makes for classic Witches Rock conditions.

Fair Surf Season (March - April & November)

Shoulder months like March, April, and November offer a mixed bag. Swell direction becomes more variable — you get a blend of ENE trade swell and increasing SSW/SW energy, but the wind consistency drops to around 35-58% ideal. March can deliver some cracking long-period pulses (11s average) as the first Southern Hemisphere swells arrive, but the NE trades often blow stronger, creating bumpy conditions. April sees a jump in ideal wind to 50%, and the SSW swell becomes more prominent, though wave heights average a bit smaller (1.2m). November is a transition month as the trades strengthen again — the swell shifts back to more ENE and NE, but you can still score clean sessions when the offshore winds align with the last of the SW pulses.

Low Surf Season (December - February)

Winter in the Northern Hemisphere brings a reversal in the pattern. The dominant swell shifts to ENE and NE — directions that are completely shadowed by the headland. Witches Rock sees mostly small, windswell-like waves from these quadrants, with average heights around 1.3-1.4m but short periods (8-9s). The wind is offshore a disappointing 23-34% of the time, as the strong NE trade winds (often 20-30+ kph) blow straight onshore. When a stray SW pulse sneaks in from a distant Southern Ocean storm, it can produce a few fun waves, but those are rare. Most days are small, choppy, and blown out — best left for beginners or a rest day.

November: Trades Return

November marks a noticeable shift back to the trade wind regime. Swell from the SSW and SW drops to 21% and 16.8% respectively, while ENE and NE swell climb back to 21.5% combined. Average periods slip to 11.5 seconds, and wave heights average 1.2m. The wind is still ideal 58% of the time, but the NE trades are picking up speed — stronger in the afternoons. The sweet spot is early morning, when offshore ENE flow cleans up the smaller SW waves. You can still get fun, long-period pulses from the south at the start of the month, but by the end, it's more about groveling on short-period trade swell. Best for those willing to wake up early and chase the good windows.