The Cribbar • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The Cribbar is a winter machine. As the North Atlantic storm track cranks into gear, average swell heights climb to 1.6m (5ft) in October and peak around 2.1-2.2m (7ft) from December through February. With average periods of 10.3s to 12.1s, the long-period W and WNW groundswells roll straight into the exposed west-northwest-facing reef. The catch? Winter lows also drag westerly winds across the bay. Cleanest days happen when a ridge of high pressure or a deep low stalled to the north allows light offshore winds from E, ESE, SE, or SSE (O, OSO, SO, SSO) to groom the faces. Positive NAO winters tend to deliver the most consistent heavy swell; negative NAO states can shift the action south, leaving Cornwall slower. If you are after the true Cribbar headline waves, this is the window.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)

Spring and early autumn are transition seasons. April still brings a punchy average period around 10.2s and the highest percentage of ideal winds of the year at 27%, although average swell height drops to 1.3m (4ft). May is smaller and shorter-period as the Atlantic settles into summer mode. September sees the first real flex of autumn: average heights recover to 1.3m (4ft), period climbs back to 9.6s, and water temperatures are still comfortable. These months are perfect for a clean, fun-sized Cribbar rather than the heavy XXL monster of deep winter.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer is the sleepy season on this exposed Cornish reef. Average swell heights bottom out at 1.0-1.1m (3-4ft), periods drop into the 8-9s range, and the prevailing northwest-to-west wind regime too often creates lumpy, wind-blown conditions. Water temperatures peak at 17.5°C in August, making the occasional small W/WNW swell tempting, but the Cribbar is at its least exciting. For the full-on, heaving, big-wave Cribbar, summer is a holding pattern. Still, a summer long-period northerly or a late-season hurricane remnant can occasionally spice things up; otherwise, set your expectations low.