La Setenta • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (November - March)

La Setenta points directly into the north-west Atlantic swell window, and when the northern hemisphere winter cranks up, so does this stretch of Cuban coastline. From November through March, average wave heights build to around 2-2.5ft (0.6-0.7m) and, more importantly, the N, WNW, NW and NNW quadrants supply 28-40% of all swell energy. The average period of 5.7-6.1s means it is rarely true long-period groundswell, but swell from cold fronts diving across the Gulf of Mexico and the western Atlantic can still send punchy 3-8ft (1-2.5m) waves through the window. Offshore S, SSW, SW and WSW winds blow 18-23% of the time, and those offshore windows are what separate a good day from a great one at this spot.

Fair Surf Season (April & October)

April and October are transition months. April still sees a useful N-NNW signal, with the good corner of the swell window delivering around 28% of the monthly total, but average size drops to 1.6ft (0.5m) and periods shorten to 5.4s. October is the mirror image: the first serious North Atlantic lows begin to send new N/NNW pulses, but the easterly trade winds remain stubborn and NE/ENE swells still outnumber the good stuff. Both months offer occasional quality days when a passing front or tropical disturbance lines up with offshore wind, but consistency is not yet there.

Low Surf Season (May - September)

From May to September, the North Atlantic storm track retreats and the Caribbean settles into the summer trade wind pattern. Swell heights average only 1-1.5ft (0.3-0.5m), periods hover at or below 4.9s, and ENE/NE windswell dominates the spectrum. These directions are cross-shore to onshore at this NW-facing beach, so the surf turns small, bumpy and hard to ride. The exception is tropical storm and hurricane season, especially from August into September, when low-latitude cyclones can throw meaningful swell into the window; however, the accompanying winds and rain often ruin the wave quality. Water temperatures climb from 27.5°C to 29.8°C, and the air is warm and humid - this is the flat season at La Setenta.