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.

March at Amoreira offers solid surfing conditions with an average swell height of 1.8m and a favorable period of 12.1s, indicating consistent, well-spaced waves. The dominant swell directions are WNW and NW, which make up the majority of the swell distribution, particularly in the 1-2.5m range—ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. The WSW and SW directions also contribute decent energy, but the quality drops significantly outside these angles. Wind conditions are mixed, with only 20% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds (typically from E to SE). Stronger onshore winds (W to NW) are more common, especially in the 10-30kph range, which can create choppy conditions. For the best sessions, watch for days when the WNW/NW swell aligns with lighter easterly winds—these produce clean, powerful waves. However, be prepared for variability, as wind direction and strength can shift quickly. Overall, March delivers decent surf with enough good days to make it worthwhile, though patience is key to scoring the best conditions.