Bathtub Beach • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

Bathtub Beach's east-facing reef needs two ingredients: Atlantic swell and offshore west winds. From October through March, the Northern Hemisphere storm track shifts south and the Southeast U.S. coast becomes a magnet for passing cold fronts and developing nor'easters. Swell averages hover around 4ft (1.2m) with periods in the 7.7-8.2s range, and while that may not sound huge, the quality window is much better than summer. Post-frontal west to northwest winds groom the NE and E swell into clean, shapey waves. Ideal wind frequency peaks in January and February near 29 and 27 percent, respectively, making this the most consistent time to find surfable waves.

Fair Surf Season (April - May, September)

The transition months are a trade-off. April and May still pick up NE and ENE swells, but average heights slip to 3ft (1.0m) and 3ft (0.9m), and the sea breeze grows stronger as the continent warms. September sees average surf heights jump back up to 3ft (1.0m) and periods lengthen to 8.2s, thanks largely to tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic basin. However, the prevailing E and SE winds are onshore more often than not, so quality depends on a passing front or storm track that briefly creates west or northwest winds.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer is the slow season at Bathtub Beach. Average swell heights bottom out near 2ft (0.6m), periods shorten to 6-7s, and the persistent Bermuda High drives E and ESE trade winds straight into the beach. Offshore wind percentages fall to 13-17 percent, and the daily thunderstorm cycle means a lot of lumpy, sea-breeze-affected surf. It is the time for longboards and small-wave fun, but serious surfers look toward hurricane season for a chance of something real.