St Ives • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

St Ives is a north-northwest facing beach on the wild Cornish coast, so its finest surf comes when the North Atlantic storm track cranks into gear between October and March. Average wave heights during this window sit between 2.1m and 2.5m (7-8ft) with periods of 10.5-11.7s, meaning plenty of powerful, long-period groundswell. The same low pressure systems that light up the Atlantic also throw wind at the coast, and the magic happens when a pre-frontal southerly to west-southwesterly flow sets up over the beach, turning the whole bay into a windswept but perfectly groomed playground. When the NAO is positive, low pressure systems barrel toward the British Isles and St Ives gets the full force of the ocean. South to west-southwest winds are offshore here, making the winter months the most reliable for both size and shape.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)

As the ocean begins to relax in April and May, average heights drop to 1.4-1.6m (5ft) and periods slip into the 9-10s range. These are the classic spring months: cleaner skies, lighter winds and better odds of an ideal offshore breeze - April and September both nudge toward the highest ideal-wind percentages of the year. Swell is still predominantly from W and WSW, but with a higher percentage of smaller, shorter-period waves. September is the real standout of the shoulder season, as the Atlantic wakes up from its summer slumber and delivers the first taste of proper autumn groundswell. It is fair, occasionally fun, and often far more user-friendly than mid-winter.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer is the quietest chapter for St Ives. Average heights bottom out at 1.2m (4ft) and average periods slip to 8.2-8.7s - choppy, low and messy more often than not. High pressure settles over the British Isles, the North Atlantic storm track pushes north, and the beach becomes dependent on weak W/NW windswell. Northerly sea breezes are common in the afternoon and are directly onshore for this NNW-facing stretch, making conditions even trickier. That being said, an early summer morning with a light SSW/WSW wind and a leftover WNW swell can still deliver clean, chest-to-head-high walls for those willing to hustle.