Burleigh Heads • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (April - August)

The subtropical ridge tightens over the Australian mainland in autumn, setting up regular pulses of SW-W offshore wind for the north-east facing banks at Burleigh Heads. This autumn-winter window is the most reliable of the year: ideal wind percentages climb from 28% in April to a maximum of 43% in July, while average wave periods push into the 8.6-8.9s range. The Tasman Sea and Southern Ocean lows deliver a steady mix of E, ESE and SE groundswell, and although the average wave height sits around 1m (3ft), the clean, groomed conditions make the point fire. Cooler, drier air and water temperatures between 20-25 C (68-77 F) also mean far less humid, bumpy sea-breeze junk.

Fair Surf Season (March and September - October)

These shoulder months are a tale of two seasons. March still has plenty of E and ESE swell, with the two directions combining for over 70% of observations, and the first real autumn offshore windows appear. September and October keep some winter scoring potential, but the NNW/NW onshore flow begins to dominate and average wave periods drop to 7.4-7.8s. There are still quality days, especially around dawn or when a strong high pressure system settles south of the continent and adds W to WNW breezes. It is a clear step down from winter, but a clear step up from summer.

Low Surf Season (November - February)

Summer at Burleigh Heads means the north-east trade wind machine is switched on. Persistent ESE, SE, NNE and NE winds combine with the daily sea breeze to chop up the often plentiful E, ENE and NE swell. Although January and February have the largest average swell heights of the year at 1.1-1.2m (3.5-4ft) and a good percentage of true optimal swell direction, the ideal wind percentage sinks to just 11-14%. Short periods of 7.3-8.4s, humid air, warm water around 24-26 C (75-79 F) and frequent showers complete the summertime picture. A passing tropical cyclone can produce an epic break in the pattern, but those events are rare and often come with their own crazy wind. This is the weakest link in the annual chain.