Spessard Holland • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (December - February)

Winter is prime time at Spessard Holland. As the North Atlantic storm track settles into a more active pattern and cold fronts regularly push off the U.S. East Coast, the beach's east-northeast exposure is fed by repeated pulses of NNE, NE, ENE, and E groundswell. Average heights run a consistent 2-3ft (0.6-0.9m), with periods in the punchy 8-second range, and-most importantly-offshore W/SW flow blows 22-24% of the time. That is the highest percentage of clean wind of any season, so the chances of scoring lined-up, rideable waves increase dramatically.

Fair Surf Season (October - November & March - April)

The shoulder seasons are a game of trade-offs. Fall sees an explosion of ENE/NE swell as early cold fronts and tropical lows energize the Atlantic; November's 3.3ft (1.0m) average is the largest of the year. But persistent onshore NE/ENE winds keep the surface lumpy, and ideal offshore flow drops to 14-17%. Spring is the mirror image-the swell window stays active with E/ENE energy, but the Bermuda High begins to strengthen, pulling winds into the E/SE quadrant and shortening periods. On the days when a departing cold front angles the wind offshore, both shoulder seasons can absolutely fire.

Low Surf Season (May - September)

Summer is the flat season. The North Atlantic loses its roar, the storm track retreats north, and the subtropical ridge establishes a chronic E/SE trade-wind pattern. Average swell heights slump to 0.5-0.7m (1.6-2.3ft), periods fall into the 7-8s range, and ideal offshore wind drops to 11-16%. The east-facing sandbar is left with small, bumpy windswell. The only wildcard is the tropics: a passing hurricane or strong tropical wave can briefly turn the ocean on, injecting long-period ENE/E groundswell into an otherwise summer-like lineup. But for consistency, patience is required from May through September.