Good Rats • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic truly roars to life from October through March, and Good Rats sits right in the firing line. Climatologically, the jet stream strengthens and lows track across the open Atlantic, feeding a steady diet of long-period swells from the SSW, SW, WSW and W - exactly what this southwest-facing beach needs. Average surf heights climb to 8-10ft (2.5-3.0m) between November and January, with periods holding in the powerful 11-12 second range. The NAO also plays a role; when it tilts negative, the storm track sinks southward and keeps the western Atlantic swell machine loaded. Wind is more favourable too, with offshore and cross-offshore flow from the NNE-NE-ENE-E quadrant blowing 34-38% of the time, grooming the long sandbar walls. Water temps hover around 5-7°C (41-45°F), so it is cold, heavy and occasionally out of control - but when a clean winter swell lines up under offshore winds, this stretch of coast is among the best in the region.

Fair Surf Season (April - May and September)

During the shoulder months the winter machinery begins to spool down, yet there is still enough ocean energy to keep Good Rats rideable. April sees an average 7ft (2.2m) of swell with 10-11 second periods, and September begins to reawaken as tropical systems and early autumn fronts push 6-7ft (2m) waves toward the beach. The catch is wind: onshore and cross-shore flow from the S, SSE, SE and ESE becomes increasingly common, so surf quality is much more hit-or-miss. You will still score good days when a late-season swell coincides with a northeasterly breeze, but you have to be selective.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer is the sleepy season at Good Rats. The average swell height drops to 4-5ft (1.3-1.4m), periods fade to 10 seconds or less, and the southwest-to-west swells that arrive are usually short-period windswell with poor shape. Meanwhile, sea breezes dominate the wind profile; onshore flow out of the S and SE blows a far higher percentage of the time, chopping up the surface and ruining wave quality. On top of that, the ideal offshore wind percentage plummets to 19-24%. There are still marginal waves on offer, especially for foiling or longboarding, but the spot does not consistently shine until the autumn storms return.