The Radisson • Statistics for October

October: Fall Swells, Onshore Battle

October is a month of high raw energy but low-quality percentages. Average swell height reaches 0.9m and period 8.5s, while favorable wind frequency falls to 11% - a reminder that bigger east swell usually arrives with cranky easterly winds. The wave rose is arguably the best of the year for direction: ENE comes in at a huge 43.2%, with E at 21.5% and NE at 19.9%. There is genuine size in the water, too, with over 15% of all swell in the 1-1.5m range and another 3-4% above 1.5m, mostly from ENE and NE. Wind, however, is the great equalizer: ENE (18.0%), E (14.0%) and NE (13.3%) combine for over 45% of all observations, meaning the surface is often a bumpy, textured mess. Water temperature cools to 27.1°C and rain eases to 4.01mm/day. Chasing October at The Radisson is about threading the needle between passing cold fronts or waiting for a tropical low to swing winds around to the west - when it clicks, the place has some of the best head-high waves of the year.