Cardiff Reef • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (November - March)

When the Aleutian Low strengthens and the North Pacific storm track aims long-period WNW and W swell at Southern California, Cardiff Reef sits right in the firing line. The west-southwest-facing beach wants energy from W and WSW, and the winter months deliver exactly that. November and December bring the first solid westerly groundswell of the season, while January and February typically see the peak in average swell size and the most consistent 3-5ft (1-1.5m) waves. The good news for surfers is the return of offshore winds from the NE/E/ESE, especially in December and January - ideal conditions 50 percent of the time - which dramatically improve shape at this exposed reef. Periods in the 12-13s range make the winter swell punchy and powerful.

Fair Surf Season (April & October)

April and October are transitional months. April still has plenty of long-period WSW/W energy, but the springtime East Pacific High begins to build and onshore westerlies eat into the quality. October marks the first real autumn push: wind observations start shifting back toward offshore directions, and while average swell heights remain around 3ft (1m), the combination of clean, light winds and increasing W/WSW groundswell can produce excellent autumn sessions at Cardiff Reef.

Low Surf Season (May - September)

From late spring through early fall, the North Pacific High locks in and the Aleutian Low retreats, leaving Cardiff Reef at the mercy of small, long-period SW/SSW groundswell and persistent afternoon westerlies. Wave heights are consistently in the waist-high range, and the percentage of ideal wind drops to 1-6 percent. Fun summer groveling exists when the tropical South Pacific sends clean summer SW pulses, but consistency and quality are low compared to winter. This is the season for loggers, longboarders, and dawn patrol wind-chasers.