El Paso • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (February - March)

The Peruvian coast may sit in the desert, but El Paso's most consistent quality window comes in late summer and early autumn. During February and March, average swell sits between 1.5m and 1.6m (5ft) with a powerful 13.1-13.5s period, and the direction is overwhelmingly SSW/SW - ideal for this southwest-facing beach. More importantly, these months offer the highest likelihood of clean offshore wind from the NNE/NE/ENE/E quadrant, with ideal wind conditions 7-10% of the time. The water temperature is also at its most comfortable, around 19-20°C. When the offshore breeze lines up, El Paso produces long-period, running waves with real shape.

Fair Surf Season (December - January, April - May)

The shoulder months still see plenty of swell, but the wind becomes less cooperative. December and January bring smaller, fun-sized SSW/SW swell around 1.4-1.5m (4-5ft) and occasional light offshore mornings. April and May turn up the volume, with average heights climbing to 1.7-1.8m (5-6ft) and periods up to 13.6s, but the south wind machine starts to intensify and ideal wind drops to 3-5%. These months are all about picking the dawn windows before the southerly sea breeze builds.

Low Surf Season (June - November)

From June through November, El Paso enters its core Southern Ocean swell season. The average wave height peaks at 1.9m (6ft) and periods remain in the 12.8-13.6s range, meaning plenty of raw, long-period power. However, the South Pacific High drives a persistent S/SSW/SW airflow, and true offshore NE/E wind occurs only 1-2% of the time. The result is often lumpy, windblown surf with occasional heavy sessions when a cold front or high-pressure ridge briefly flips the wind offshore. For most surfers this is the low season - not because of swell, but because of wind.