Map
Amado
Today's Surf Conditions at Amado
Spot Conditions Map
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Today's Surf & Wind Forecast (Hourly)
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Spot Overview & Description
Praia do Amado delivers consistent, sand-bottom beachbreak action just south of Carrapateira. This stretch of coast offers a more sheltered alternative to its northern neighbor, Praia da Bordeira, making it a reliable option when the wind or swell gets a bit too rowdy. The setup here is a classic beachbreak, serving up both lefts and rights that peel across the beach. The main feature is a standout right that wraps off a large rock, coming alive from mid to low tide. As with any sand-bottom setup, the banks are ever-shifting, so wave quality can range from punchy peaks to fat sections depending on the day. Best with a northwest swell and light east or northeast winds, this spot suits intermediate to advanced surfers looking for a consistent, localized break.
Best Surf Season & Climatology
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Atlantic is fully awake from October through March, delivering consistent, powerful swell to Amado's west-northwest facing beach. Average wave heights range from 1.8m in October to a peak of 2.4m in December, January, and February, with long-period groundswells averaging 11-13 seconds. The combination of deep low-pressure systems tracking across the Atlantic and a favorable NAO pattern funnels swell from the WSW through NW bands directly into the bay. Ideal offshore wind conditions (from ONO, O, OSO, SO) occur 22-29% of the time, often during post-frontal high-pressure setups with crisp, clear skies. This is prime time for pumping surf in the 1.5-2.5m range, with occasional XL days exceeding 2.5m for the charger crew.
Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)
As the winter storm track begins to retreat in spring, swells become less consistent but still offer quality sessions. April averages 1.9m with a period of 11.1s, while May drops to 1.6m and 9.8s. September sees a noticeable uptick as autumn gets underway, with averages of 1.5m and 10.4s. These months are characterized by a mix of fading winter groundswells and building summer windswells. Ideal wind windows narrow to 11-15% of the time, but when they align, the waves can be fun, rippable and clean. North to northwest windswell often dominates, but a solid W or WSW groundswell with light offshore winds can produce epic sessions.
Low Surf Season (June - August)
Summer is the quietest period at Amado. Average swell heights drop to just 1.4m and periods shorten to 8-9 seconds, indicative of weak, short-period windswell. The vast majority of the energy comes from the NW and NNW quadrants, often with onshore winds from the same directions, creating choppy, messy conditions. Ideal offshore wind conditions occur a mere 5-8% of the time, mostly during early morning land-breeze setups from the E/NE quadrant. While persistent small waves and light winds might appeal to beginners, experienced surfers will find the surf groveling at best. This is the season to explore other breaks or plan trips to the southern hemisphere.
Detailed Surf Information for Amado
Detailed Surf Forecast
Access our detailed 8-day swell and wind forecast charts for Amado with tidal graphs, period ranges, and daily forecast text summaries.
Swell & Wind Statistics
Explore historical swell consistency, wave heights, and offshore wind windows month-by-month, compiled from over 40 years of data.
Historical Surf Report
Browse the historical database archives to view past wave reports and understand spot climatology during specific years and months.
