Arenillas - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic winter pattern delivers consistent, powerful swell from the NW quadrant. However, at Arenillas, the ideal window aligns when the swell swings more northerly (N to NNE) and is accompanied by offshore S-SSW winds. These months see the highest average wave heights (1.5m-2.0m) and longest periods (11-14s), providing a solid platform for good surf. The percentage of ideal wind conditions peaks at 38-42%, meaning that a significant portion of the days offer clean, offshore conditions. The combination of long-period groundswell and favorable wind makes this the prime time for Arenillas.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

Shoulder months see a transition. April still has moderate swell (1.4m avg, 10.9s period) but ideal wind drops to 31%. September sees similar stats (1.2m, 10.4s, 32%). The swell direction remains predominantly from the NW, but the wind patterns become more variable, with fewer consistent offshore windows. You can still score good waves, but you'll need to be selective.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

The summer months bring smaller, weaker swell (0.9-1.1m, periods 8-10s). The dominant NW swell is still present but much less organized, often mixed with short-period windswell. Ideal wind percentages drop to 22-30%, meaning onshore winds (from N-NW) frequently ruin the waves. The surf is generally small and mushy, with only rare opportunities for decent waves when a southerly breeze cleans up the leftover swell. This is a time for groveling and longboard sessions at best.

May: Summer Swell on the Horizon

May marks the entrance into the low season, with average swell height at 1.1m and period at 10.0s. The NW direction dominates even more (53.2%), meaning the swell is often too westerly and accompanied by onshore north winds. Ideal wind conditions are at just 30%. The wave height distribution shows that 20.5% of the waves are in the 0.5-1m range from the NW – that’s small, groveling surf. However, the increasing daylight and occasional high-pressure setups can bring light S-SSW winds, making the 1-1.5m waves (18.5%) from the NW rideable. It’s a good month for longboarding or practicing turns on smaller days. The swell period is decent enough to maintain some shape.