First Point • Statistics for October

October: Autumn Swell and Clean Offshore Flow

October is a transitional gem at First Point. Average swell height drops slightly to 0.7m (2.3ft), but the average period rises to a deep 12.9s - the highest of the year - giving the ocean a sense of power even when the faces are modest. The direction mix is still favorable: WSW (38.8%), SW (34.9%), and SSW (9.3%) make up a strong south-southwest bias, while W (16.4%) starts to grow as the North Pacific wakes up. Wind quality continues to improve as the fall pattern develops. Ideal wind reaches 54%, with offshore NNE (8.3%), NNW (6.8%), N (2.8%), and NW (5.4%) directions becoming more common. The air cools to 19.6°C, water temps remain warm at 17.1°C, and rainfall is still low at 0.56 mm/day. October is one of those months where long-period south groundswell mixes with clean northerly morning winds, producing some of the most rippable point surf of the year - mostly 2-4ft (0.6-1.2m), but occasionally better when a late-season southern pulse aligns.