South Point • Statistics for June

June: Big Winter Swells Meet the Westerly Wind Gauntlet

June brings the first real winter bangs. The average swell height jumps to 2.6m (8.5ft), with periods locked in at 12.9s, and the histogram shows a major share of energy sitting in the 1.5-2.5m range and above. Directionally, SW still leads at 20.4%, but WSW is right there at 14.5% and W adds 5.4%, WNW 2.6% and NW 1.7%. This is a much healthier westerly component for South Point, and the combination of size and 13-second groundswell intervals means the break can produce serious, hollow waves.

However, June is also where the wind becomes a genuine issue. The bad WSW-WNW onshore sector accounts for 32.9% of all winds, and the ideal window drops to 19.9%. Strong westerly winds associated with deep Southern Ocean lows frequently roar in waves at South Point, but they can also shred the surface. Ideal surfing conditions are only 17%, so patience is required. When a slow-moving high pressure ridge clears the area and the wind swings offshore from the ESE or SE, the result is a heavy, powerful 6-8ft+ session. With air temperatures at 15.6°C, water at 18.7°C and precipitation climbing to 3.98 mm/day, this is winter start - bring the big board and a hood.