Yoff Beach - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

Winter unleashes the full power of the North Atlantic. Average wave heights hold steady between 1.5m and 1.8m with long periods often exceeding 12 seconds, delivering heavy, powerful lines. The vast majority of the swell arrives from the NNW, wrapping directly into Yoff’s north-northeast facing beach. However, the persistent trade winds blow from the north and northeast, creating messy, onshore conditions for roughly 99% of the time. The magic happens when a passing cold front or a shift in the Azores High weakens the trades, allowing light to moderate offshore winds from the south and southwest to groom the waves. Those windows are fleeting but pure gold – expect epic, long-period walls when they align.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)

The transition months bridge the extremes. Swell size backs down a notch to 1.3-1.7m and periods settle into the 9-11 second range, providing punchy, rippable waves. The wind pattern begins to improve, especially in September when the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) pushes north and southwesterly flow becomes more common. April and May still see a fair share of north winds, but the frequency of offshore directions (S, SSW, SW, WSW) increases, offering cleaner conditions than the winter peak. These months are a sweet spot for consistent, user-friendly surf with fewer crowds.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer is the slow season for wave energy. Average heights drop to 1.3m and periods shorten to 8-9 seconds, resulting in smaller, mushier waves. The swell shifts to a more westerly direction, wrapping from the NW and WNW, which still hits the beach but lacks the punch of winter. The saving grace is the wind: the African monsoon and a northward shift in the ITCZ replace the dry northerly trades with frequent southwesterly offshore breezes. Ideal wind conditions occur 30-43% of the time, making the waves glassy but small. It’s a great season for longboards, funboards, or groveling on a shortboard beneath sunny skies.

July: Clean but Tiny

July is the epitome of the low-season trade-off: tiny waves, pristine conditions. Average swell height is 1.3m with a period of 8.9s. The swell direction shifts further west – 38% from NW, 28% from NNW, 21% from WNW – delivering weaker, more wind-swell patterns. However, the wind story is excellent: north winds account for only 2% of the time, and the combined offshore quadrant (S, SSW, SW, WSW) blows 40% of the month. This is the best offshore consistency of the year. The waves are often knee- to waist-high, but glassy and fun for shortboarders and longboarders alike. It’s a great month for beginners or anyone wanting a long, smooth session.