Yumuri - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (December - March)

While Yumuri faces north, the dominant swell throughout the year arrives from the ENE, which rarely produces quality waves for this coastline. The best chance for rideable surf comes during the winter months when slightly larger groundswell (1-1.5m+) sneaks in from the ENE and occasional short-period N-NNW swell (though very infrequent) can wrap into the beach. More importantly, winter cold fronts can swing winds to the south (SO, S, SSW), creating clean, offshore conditions that groom the prevailing ENE swell into a more organized wave. Still, the average period hovers around 6s, keeping the surf chopped and lacking power. This is a window of opportunity rather than a guarantee.

Fair Surf Season (April - May, October - November)

During the transitional months, the trade wind regime strengthens and the swell from ENE dominates even more, but wind directions become more variable. April and May see an increase in ideal wind percentages (8-10%), but swell heights drop to 0.8-0.9m and periods remain short (6s). October and November see a slight uptick in swell size as the Atlantic starts to wake up, but the wind is often from the east or northeast, creating onshore/choppy conditions. These months offer occasional fun-sized waves when a southerly breeze aligns with a pulse of ENE swell.

Low Surf Season (June - September)

Summer brings the smallest surf of the year, with average heights dipping to 0.7-0.9m and periods stuck at 6s. The swell is almost exclusively from the ENE (over 80% of the total), which is far from optimal for a north-facing beach. Additionally, the trade winds blow consistently from the east and northeast, creating bumpy, onshore conditions that ruin wave shape. The percentage of ideal offshore wind is very low (7-11% in summer, but those winds are typically light and from the south, which are rare). This is the time to find a different break or enjoy flat spells.

November: Winter Building, Wind Woes

November sees a significant uptick in average swell height to 1.0m, period 6.3s. ENE swell is 68%, NE 22% - the largest contribution from the NE quadrant of the year. This is a positive sign, as NE swell is closer to the optimal N/NW direction but still not ideal. Wind conditions are concerning: ENE wind is 40%, NE 23%, and ideal wind drops to only 6% - the second-lowest of the year. The trade winds are strong, and with the swell increasing, the surf often arrives with onshore winds. The few windows when a cold front delivers southerly winds can produce solid, fun waves in the 1-1.5m range, but they are short-lived. November is a month of increased size but decreased quality.