Prainha

Best Surf Season (October - March)

When the North Atlantic low-pressure machine cranks up, Prainha enters its prime. Average swell heights climb to 7-9ft (2.1-2.8m) with periods in the 11-13s range, and the west-facing beach sees consistent WNW/NW groundswell. The ideal wind window is the widest of the year, from 32 to 41 percent, and the colder air and water temperatures are a small price to pay for hollow, powerful peaks. The exact track of these lows, modulated by the NAO, decides whether Prainha sees pure W/WNW groundswell or a more north-angled version; either way, low pressure in the North Atlantic is the engine that drives the best surf.