Aterro - surf spot statistics

Aterro in Portugal offers consistent surf conditions throughout the year, but the best months for surfers typically fall between October and March. During this period, ground swell dominates, with percentages ranging from 62% in October to 89% in January, ensuring powerful and well-formed waves. The mean swell size is also most favorable, averaging between 1.3m and 1.7m, providing ideal wave heights for intermediate to advanced surfers. Wind conditions improve slightly in these months, with good wind days peaking at 43% in January and December, though offshore winds remain somewhat inconsistent. From April to September, conditions deteriorate as wind swells take over, reducing wave quality, and bad wind conditions dominate, often exceeding 70%. Swell size drops below 1.0m in summer, making it less reliable for serious surfers. While Aterro is surfable year-round, the winter and early spring months deliver the most consistent, high-quality waves with better wind alignment, making them the prime time for surfing at this spot.

April at Aterro offers surfable conditions with an average swell height of 1.2m and a solid period of 11.4s, indicating consistent, well-spaced waves. The dominant swell direction is from the west and northwest, with the majority of waves falling in the 0.5-2.5m range—ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. Smaller days (0.5-1.5m) are frequent, but larger sets (1.5-2.5m) occur often enough to keep things interesting. Wind conditions are surfable 27% of the time, with the best scenario being light to moderate offshore winds (N/NE). However, prevailing winds are often onshore (W/WNW) at 10-20kph, which can create chop, especially on bigger days. For clean sessions, watch for early mornings or days with northerly winds. Overall, April delivers a mix of playful waves and punchier swells, though patience is needed to score the cleaner, glassier sessions.