Olende

Best Surf Season (December - April)

Sitting on the southwest-facing coast of Gabon, Olende is a study in contradictions. The swell is remarkably consistent throughout the year, with long-period SSW/SW groundswell arriving in the 11-13 second range, but the wind is what separates the good days from the blown-out ones. The most reliable stretch for quality surf comes from December through April, when the South Atlantic High is less aggressive and the local pressure gradient allows northeast-to-east offshore flow to develop. During these months, ideal wind conditions occur 16 to 24 percent of the time, giving the beach enough clean windows to groom the dominant 2-3ft (0.6-0.9m) SSW swell into punchy, rippable waves. Wave heights are never huge, but the long periods and right direction make every clean window count.