Pippies • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (June - August)

Winter is Pippies' true sweet spot. As the subtropical ridge pushes north and the Southern Ocean storm track fires up, consistent S/SE groundswell lights up the southeast-facing beach. Average swell heights hold around 5ft (1.6m) in June and July, while average periods climb to 9.4s - the highest of the year. Just as importantly, the wind machine flips: prevailing W/WNW/NW/NNW offshore breezes and pre-frontal westerlies groom the surface, giving clean, hollow conditions. With ideal winds blowing 49-53% of the time, this is when Pippies delivers its most ridable days.

Fair Surf Season (May, September - October)

May and September are transitional gems. May sees autumn westerlies arrive and long-period S/SE swell still pulsing, although the wind consistency is a notch below winter. September brings the first taste of spring as NW/offshore flows remain frequent, but periods ease slightly and the first E/NE trade swell mixes in. October is the most 'springtime' of the fair months: there are clean mornings with offshore NW winds and solid SSE/SE swell, but by afternoon the onshore sea breeze often puts a lid on quality.

Low Surf Season (November - April)

From late spring through autumn, Pippies slips into its most inconsistent chapter. The subtropical ridge moves south, the continent heats up, and the summer sea-breeze cycle locks in E/ESE/SE/SSE onshore winds for much of the day. Swell is still present - often 4-6ft (1.4-1.7m) of E/ESE trade swell - but the average period drops to 8-9s and the surface is frequently bumpy. February and March are the hardest months, with ideal wind percentages sinking to 24-25%. There are still morning windows and the odd tropical cyclone swell, but you have to pick your moments.