Parking Lots • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (November - February)

Parking Lots is a north-facing beach that depends on winter energy from the North Atlantic. From November through February, average surf heights rise to the 5ft (1.5m) range and average periods stretch to 10 seconds, bringing the kind of power that turns the exposed sandbars on. The favorable north to north-northwest swell directions are most common during this window, especially when the storm track is active and the NAO delivers long-period pulses. Wind is often bumpy, but the payoff is real: when the trades ease and the wind flips light S/SSW, the waves are at their most serious.

Fair Surf Season (March - April and September - October)

These shoulder months offer a blend of winter power and summer reliability. March and April still see occasional 5ft (1.5m) swells while the wind stats begin to improve. September and October are the early-season dark horses, with tropical storm energy, a rising period and increasing offshore wind windows. The surf is generally smaller than deep winter, but the cleaner conditions often make the quality higher than the height suggests.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer is the low season at Parking Lots. The North Atlantic storm track retreats, the trades lock in from ENE/E, and the average swell height drops to around 3.3ft (1.0m) with periods of 7 seconds or less. The favorable north swell windows all but disappear, leaving short-period, mostly wind-driven chop. It is not completely flat - May and June can still be fun on a groveler - but consistent, high-quality surf is hard to find.