Wainui Beach • Statistics for February

February: Late Summer Grovelers and Clean Windows

February keeps summer in control, though the energy is beginning to shift. The average swell height edges up to 5-6ft (1.6m) and the period holds at 9.9 seconds. The E through SSE window covers nearly 57 percent of all swell directions, giving Wainui plenty of exposure to the right kind of waves. Most waves fall in the 3-6.5ft (1-1.5m to 1.5-2m) range, with only occasional pulses above 8ft (2.5m). Ideal offshore wind frequency drops to 38 percent, and the increasing presence of NNE/NE winds during February means more of the ocean has a cross-shore or onshore texture by mid-afternoon. Early attacks with a NW breeze are still the move. With water temperature at 20.2°C and air temperatures averaging 19.4°C, it is prime board-short material. February can also serve up hidden gems when a late-season tropical cyclone near Fiji or Vanuatu sends an E/ESE groundswell our way - especially if a cold front sweeps through behind it and flips the wind offshore.