Best time to surf Busua

The best time to surf at Busua is May–September, the known surf season, with water around 27°C.

Busua, Western Region, Ghana

Sports: Surfing

Best time to go: May–September

Busua is a fishing village in Ahanta West, in Ghana's Western Region, about 30 km west of Takoradi. From Takoradi it is a 40 to 45 minute drive; by tro-tro (shared minibus), change at Agona Junction, 10 km north. From Accra it is 4 to 5 hours by road, or a short flight to Takoradi. Surf schools on the beach, among them Ahanta Waves Surf School & Camp, rent boards and give lessons.

The bay is about 2 km of sand facing south-east. Rocks at its western end soften the swell, so the inside is often chest high and gentle, with lefts and rights over sand. The eastern end towards Butre is often bigger, dumpier and rippier. Ghana's swells come from the south and south-west and are biggest and most regular from about April to September, peaking from June to August; from November to March there are long small or flat spells. The offshore wind is north-west.

For experienced surfers, Black Mamba is a right-hand point on the west side of the bay that needs about 1.2 m of swell, reached by a long paddle or a fisherman's canoe. Dixcove point, a right from about 1.5 m, is a short taxi ride west. Both break over rock.

Rip currents occur, especially at the eastern end and on bigger days, and there is no regular lifeguard service, so learners should stay with a school. The water is about 27 to 29 °C from November to May and drops to about 23 to 25 °C from July to September. Boardshorts and a lycra are enough; add a thin 2 mm top on the coolest days.

Month by month at Busua

January: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 29°C, air 30°C (nights 25°C), sun (6+ hours) on about 31 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 19; a day can have both
February: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 28°C, air 31°C (nights 25°C), sun (6+ hours) on about 27 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 17; a day can have both
March: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 28°C, air 31°C (nights 25°C), sun (6+ hours) on about 30 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 19; a day can have both
April: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1 m, water 29°C, air 31°C (nights 25°C), sun (6+ hours) on about 27 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 21; a day can have both
May: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 30°C, air 30°C (nights 25°C), sun (6+ hours) on about 26 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 25; a day can have both
June: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1 m, water 28°C, air 28°C (nights 24°C), sun (6+ hours) on about 22 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 28; a day can have both
July: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1 m, water 26°C, air 27°C (nights 24°C), sun (6+ hours) on about 27 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 25; a day can have both
August: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1 m, water 24°C, air 26°C (nights 23°C), sun (6+ hours) on about 25 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 25; a day can have both
September: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 25°C, air 27°C (nights 24°C), sun (6+ hours) on about 27 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 24; a day can have both
October: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1 m, water 27°C, air 28°C (nights 24°C), sun (6+ hours) on about 29 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 27; a day can have both
November: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 29°C, air 29°C (nights 24°C), sun (6+ hours) on about 29 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 23; a day can have both
December: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 29°C, air 30°C (nights 25°C), sun (6+ hours) on about 30 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 20; a day can have both

When is the best time to go surfing at Busua?

May–September, the known surf season (when the swell direction and winds suit this spot).

How warm is the water at Busua?

24°C to 30°C over the year: boardshorts, no wetsuit needed in the warmest month, a shorty or lycra in the coolest.

How windy is Busua?

About 0 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in January.

Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).

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