Best time to surf in Canada
May, September, November to March for intermediate surfers, April to June, September to October, January for beginners, and February for the biggest waves. Month by month below, from 2 years of hourly wave and wind model data at 21 spots. Updated 3 November 2026.
| Month | Good days (intermediate) | Beginner days | Good days (advanced) | Typical waves | Water | Best region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | 9 | 9 | 1–1.6 m | 5 °C | Vancouver Island |
| February | 7 | 8 | 9 | 1.1–1.7 m | 3 °C | Vancouver Island |
| March | 5 | 7 | 6 | 1–1.6 m | 4 °C | British Columbia |
| April | 4 | 12 | 2 | 0.9–1.3 m | 6 °C | British Columbia |
| May | 4 | 10 | 1 | 1–1.6 m | 9 °C | British Columbia |
| June | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0.9–1.3 m | 12 °C | British Columbia |
| July | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0.8–1.2 m | 14 °C | Vancouver Island |
| August | 2 | 8 | 0 | 1–1.4 m | 17 °C | British Columbia |
| September | 4 | 11 | 3 | 0.9–1.3 m | 16 °C | British Columbia |
| October | 4 | 10 | 4 | 1–1.4 m | 13 °C | Vancouver Island |
| November | 6 | 7 | 8 | 1–1.6 m | 10 °C | Vancouver Island |
| December | 7 | 8 | 9 | 1–1.6 m | 7 °C | Vancouver Island |
Days per month at the best third of the spots for each level, rated the way the app rates them. Model data, not observations. Method.
By region
| Region | Intermediate | Beginners | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Island | November to March | April to June, September, January | 8–16 °C |
| Nova Scotia | December to February | February to March, November to December | 0–18 °C |
| British Columbia | September to June | April to June, September to October | 8–16 °C |
Questions
What is the best month to surf in Canada?
January, with about 8 good days for an intermediate surfer at the best spots. The best run of months is May, September, November to March.
When is the best time to surf in Canada for beginners?
April to June, September to October, January, when the beginner spots have the most days of small, clean waves.
When are the biggest waves in Canada?
February has the biggest typical surf (about 1.1–1.7 m at the spots we follow). That is the season for experienced surfers.
Can you surf in Canada in summer?
Mostly small: June to August average about 2 good days a month for intermediate surfers, better for learning than for good waves.
How warm is the water in Canada?
About 3 °C in February (6/5 mm hooded) to 17 °C in August (4/3 mm fullsuit).
More: all surf spots in Canada · this week's forecast · wetsuit by month · why the swell period matters.