Altura - surf spot statistics

Altura, Portugal, offers the most consistent surf conditions during the winter months, particularly from November to February. During this period, the swell activity is at its peak, with ground swell percentages improving significantly—up to 21% in January and 20% in December—while wind swell contributes an additional 35-42%. The average swell size hovers around 0.7m, occasionally reaching up to 0.8m in December, providing the most rideable waves of the year. However, wind conditions remain challenging, with bad onshore winds (87-89%) dominating, making clean sessions a rarity. Spring (March-April) sees a decline in ground swell but still maintains decent wind swell activity (41-48%), though wind conditions remain unfavorable. Summer (May-September) is the least consistent, with minimal ground swell (0-4%), weak wind swell (25-45%), and very high percentages of flat days (61-74%). The swell size drops to 0.4-0.6m, and wind conditions worsen further (90-94% bad winds). Autumn (October-November) marks a gradual return of swell energy, with ground swell increasing to 6-9% and wind swell around 37-43%, but wind quality remains poor. For experienced surfers, the best windows are likely in late autumn and early winter when swell consistency improves despite the persistent onshore winds. If you prioritize quality over frequency, December stands out with the largest average swell size and slightly better wind odds (13% clean conditions). Summer is only suitable for beginners due to small, weak waves, while winter offers the most powerful—albeit inconsistent—surf.

March in Altura typically offers fair surfing conditions, though not always ideal. The average swell height is 0.7m with an 8.8s period, indicating mostly small and weak waves, though occasional mid-sized swells can provide surfable conditions. The majority of waves come from the west (W, WSW, SW), with the best consistency in the 0.5-1.5m range, accounting for about 20-25% of the time. Smaller waves (0-0.5m) dominate, limiting rideable days. Larger swells (1.5-2.5m) are rare but possible, mainly from SW/WSW directions. Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 11% of the time featuring clean offshore or light winds. Stronger winds (20-30kph) are common, particularly from NNE to NNW, which can create choppy or blown-out conditions. Surfers should watch for rare SE/SSE swells, which occasionally produce cleaner waves. Overall, March is inconsistent here, requiring patience for those occasional glassy, mid-sized days.