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South Africa- Sunset Reef
Conditions at Sunset Reef in September
September: Strong Swells, Shifting Seasons
September is a shoulder month that still packs a punch. The average swell height is a solid 2.7m (8.8ft) with a period of 12.1s, so the winter ocean has not switched off yet. The wave rose continues to favour SSW, SW and WSW directions, with a slightly larger S component of 6.5% than in mid-winter. The ideal wind frequency drops to 15% as the Cape Doctor strengthens and spring weather patterns become more variable. SE winds lead the offshore flow at 17.4%, with SSE at 12.6%, while NW and NNW still contribute about 19% of the wind observations as onshore threats. This is a month of contradictions: big groundswell can coincide with either clean offshore mornings or messy north-west storm winds. Water temperature begins to recover slowly to 15.5°C and rainfall falls to 1.30mm per day, suggesting calmer weather ahead. The late winter swells of September can be some of the best of the year if the wind gods cooperate.
Average Spot conditions at Sunset Reef in September
Swell history for September
Wind history for September
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Sunset Reef during September. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Sunset Reef for your next trip in September.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Sunset Reef for September. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Sunset Reef.