Costa Navarino • Statistics for January

January: Deep-Winter Drive

January is the benchmark month at Costa Navarino. The average swell height peaks at 3.5ft (1.1m) and the average period reaches 6.5s, putting it at the upper end of the spot's short-period, rideable range. Swell from the ideal SSW-SW-WSW-W quadrant accounts for 44% of the observations, with WSW leading the pack at 16.9% and W close behind at 12.1%. This is enough westerly energy to wrap into the WSW-facing beach and push some shape into the bar, although the 6.5s period means it will still be punchy and crumbly rather than long and lined-up. The bigger end of the spectrum - chest- to head-high-plus waves in the 3-6ft (1-2m) range - shows up consistently from the SW through W directions.

Wind is a major ally in January. Offshore flow from the NNE/NE/ENE/E quadrant occurs 36% of the time, the best of the year, and that easterly drainage keeps the surface clean when it coincides with swell. NW/NNW winds remain common, but they are cross-offshore for this stretch of coast and not necessarily fatal. With an average air temperature of 10.2°C and water temperature of 16.4°C, you will be paddling out in a 4/3 and boots most days. Rain is also at a winter peak, with 3.19 mm/day, so be ready to dodge a few frontal showers between waves.