Shangri-la seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (December - April)
The surf year at Shangri-la is ruled by the Indian Ocean monsoon. From December through April the northeast monsoon locks in offshore and cross-offshore breezes from the west, west-northwest, northwest and north-northwest, producing the cleanest conditions of the year. Wave heights average around 4ft (1.2m) to 4.5ft (1.4m), with periods climbing from 9.9s in December to a peak of 11.6s in April. Ideal winds range from 49 to 58 percent during these months, and the swell windows from E-ESE-SE-SSE are well represented. It is not the biggest surf of the year, but it is the most consistent and most rippable.
Fair Surf Season (May and October - November)
May marks the onset of the southwest monsoon, with average wave heights jumping to 1.6m (5ft) but ideal wind dropping to 36 percent. October and November are the mirror-image transition months, as westerly winds return and groom the fading but still solid southern-hemisphere groundswell. Periods in the 10-10.5s range and 40-44 percent ideal wind mean the surface is more workable than summer, but the swell direction is often more south or southwest than the perfect ESE-SSE slot. These months can offer great dawnies and less crowd pressure.
Low Surf Season (June - September)
June through September is the southwest monsoon proper. This is actually the biggest and most powerful swell period, with average heights of 1.6-1.8m (5-6ft) and periods of 11-11.5s, but the wind distribution is dominated by SE, SSE and S winds - all onshore or cross-onshore for this southeast-facing break. Ideal wind drops to only 25-39 percent, and the waves, while heavy, frequently lack the clean shape needed for good surfing. The rare windows of westerly or northwesterly winds during this period are the ones to chase.