Amoreira - surf spot statistics

Amoreira in Portugal offers surfable conditions year-round, but the best months for quality waves and favorable wind conditions are typically from October through March. During this period, ground swell dominates (64-90%), providing powerful, clean waves with mean swell sizes ranging from 1.5m to 2.0m, peaking in January and December. Wind conditions are far from perfect, but late autumn and winter still have the highest percentages of good winds (22-25%) compared to the rest of the year. The worst months for surfing are June, July, and August, when wind swell becomes predominant (70-81%), wave size drops to 1.0-1.1m, and bad wind conditions prevail (83-84%). Spring (April-May) and early autumn (September) serve as transition periods, with declining ground swell influence but manageable wave heights. If you’re looking for consistency and size, target the winter months, but be prepared for challenging winds—October and November offer a slightly better balance of swell and wind conditions compared to deep winter. Summer is best avoided unless you’re after small, less predictable waves.

August at Amoreira offers generally small to moderate surf, with an average swell height of 1.0m and a decent period of 9.1s, providing consistent but not overly powerful waves. The dominant swell directions are NW and WNW, accounting for the majority of rideable conditions, particularly in the 0.5-1.5m range, which occurs frequently. Larger waves (1.5-2.5m) are less common but do appear, mostly from the NW. Cross-shore or light offshore winds—ideal for surfing—occur only 17% of the time, while onshore winds (N, NW, W) are more prevalent, often blowing at 10-30kph, which can create choppy conditions. Expect smaller, cleaner waves early in the day before winds pick up, with the best sessions likely occurring when NW swells coincide with lighter winds. Overall, August delivers rideable waves for most skill levels, though advanced surfers may need patience for the occasional bigger, cleaner days.