Mancora • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (May - October)

Mancora is a spot where the Southern Hemisphere winter writes the cheque. From May through October, the South Pacific storm track cranks into gear, firing long-period groundswell towards the Peruvian coast. The wave rose data for these months is remarkable: 88-91% of all swell energy arrives from the SSW, with average heights holding at 6ft (1.8-1.9m) and periods right around 14 seconds. At the same time, the South Pacific subtropical high builds, and the pressure gradient along the coast delivers a persistent SSW/SW flow. For an NNW-facing beach, that flow is offshore and keeps the surface glassy. This is the most consistent, powerful and rideable window of the year, with plenty of 5-6.5ft (1.5-2m) waves and a good share of 6-8ft (2-2.5m) sets.

Fair Surf Season (April & November - December)

During April, and again from November through December, Mancora sits in a transition zone. Average swell heights build or ease between 5ft and 6ft (1.6-1.8m), and the period stays long at 13.7-14.1 seconds. The SSW/SW direction still dominates, but there is more SW/WSW spread, and the all-SSW purity of the peak months fades. Ideal offshore winds blow 58-70% of the time, so there are plenty of clean sessions, but the consistency and raw power of the winter months is a little less reliable. These months are perfect for surfers who want solid, long-period waves without the full-on heavy winter.

Low Surf Season (January - March)

The austral summer is the mellowest time of year at Mancora. Average swell heights ease to around 5ft (1.5-1.6m), and while the period remains long, the energy spreads out more between SW and WSW, with less of that dominant SSW groundswell. Ideal wind percentages fall below 63%, bottoming out at 49% in March as northerly and northwesterly components creep back into the wind rose. Add the wettest months of the year and warmer water around 24°C, and you get softer, more inconsistent waves. It is still surfable, especially when a stray SSW pulse arrives, but it is the low season for hardcore surf trips.