Ocean Reef Park • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

At Ocean Reef Park, the surf really finds its rhythm from October through March, when strong extratropical cyclones marching across the US Southeast and the western North Atlantic energize the NE, ENE and E fetch. Average swell heights hover around 4ft (1.2m) with periods of 7.7-8.2s, producing solid, rippable conditions whenever the wind angle aligns. The spot faces east, so the prime groundswell directions are from NE through ESE; the catch is that these same directions are onshore. What makes the cool season special is the higher frequency of cold fronts that flip the wind into the west and southwest quadrant, grooming the east-facing beach with offshore flow. Wave heights in the 1-1.5m range dominate, and 2m+ waves appear with greater regularity.

Fair Surf Season (April and September)

April and September operate as transition months. April still averages 3-4ft (1m) with punchy 7.8s swell, but the trade-wind easterlies become more persistent and the percentage of clean, offshore wind drops. September is the wildcard: although average height is the same, average period often reaches 8.2s, and tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic can send powerful NE-ENE swell to the beach - far better than the faded summer junk, but often accompanied by onshore wind. These months deliver less consistency but are worth watching.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

From May through August, the summer subtropical ridge, or Bermuda High, strengthens and the surf fades. Average wave heights drop to 2-3ft (0.6-0.9m), periods fall to 6.2-7.4s, and east/southeast trade winds blow almost constantly, chopping up an already marginal, wind-swell dominated line-up. This is the season of small, groveling waves and afternoon onshore mush. Only a distant tropical storm or a late-day westerly sea breeze can offer a brief clean-up, but consistent quality surfing is rare.