Map
Fonte da Telha
Today's Surf Conditions at Fonte da Telha
Spot Conditions Map
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Today's Surf & Wind Forecast (Hourly)
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Spot Overview & Description
Fonte da Telha unfolds as a long, cliff-backed stretch of sand where the Atlantic energy bends into shifty lefts and rights. While it plays second fiddle to the more robust waves at Costa da Caparica, this sleepy resort setup shines as a strategic alternative when the swell cranks up elsewhere. The banks are fickle, constantly reshuffled by tide and sand, so don’t come expecting a textbook peak. Instead, treat it as a playground of opportunity—a place to hunt down a fun, workable wall amidst wide-open space. With room to roam and a relaxed, end-of-the-line vibe, Fonte da Telha rewards patience and a willingness to explore.
Best Surf Season & Climatology
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Atlantic roar to life during these months as the Azores High weakens and the Icelandic Low deepens, firing consistent extratropical storms across the Atlantic. Swell heights average between 1.5m and 2.0m with long periods from 11s to 13s, delivering powerful, clean lines straight into the west-southwest-facing beach. Offshore winds from the NNO to O quadrant blow consistently 26-34% of the time, especially when high pressure settles over the Bay of Biscay or continental Europe. This is prime time for Fonte da Telha — expect pumping NW and W swells, often with sunny skies and light land breezes. It's not uncommon to see head-high to overhead sets with perfect shape during these months.
Fair Surf Season (April & September)
Spring and early autumn act as transitional windows. April sees a noticeable drop in average swell height to 1.5m and period to 11.1s, but the swell direction remains favourable from the W and NW. The catch is that the wind ideal percentage drops to 20% as the Azores High builds and northerly winds become dominant — often creating sideshore or light onshore conditions. September is similar: average 1.1m swell at 10.5s, with the NW quadrant still providing most of the energy. The wind regime shifts with more frequent N and NNW breezes (offshore? Actually NNW is not ideal), but occasional easterly pulses from high pressure over Spain can set up fun, clean waves. Both months offer periodic windows of good quality, especially with long-period groundswells, but consistency is lower.
Low Surf Season (May - August)
Summer is the quietest period for Fonte da Telha. The North Atlantic storm track shifts north, and the Azores High dominates, suppressing swell generation. Average heights hover around 1.0-1.2m with short to moderate periods (8-10s). Most of the swell arrives from the NW quadrant as windswell or small groundswell, but the prevailing NNW and N winds (onshore or cross-shore) blow over 50% of the time in July and August, ruining wave quality. Ideal offshore wind percentages drop to 10-16%, making clean surf a rare commodity. Daytime seabreezes further degrade conditions. However, early mornings can occasionally deliver glassy, fun-sized waves when the wind lays down or a rare southwesterly swell sneaks in. For consistent quality surf, this is not the time to visit.
Detailed Surf Information for Fonte da Telha
Detailed Surf Forecast
Access our detailed 8-day swell and wind forecast charts for Fonte da Telha 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.
