Barbate - surf spot statistics

Barbate, Spain, offers surfers a mix of ground and wind swells throughout the year, with the best conditions typically found during the winter months. From November to February, ground swell dominance is highest, peaking in January at 71% and December at 59%, providing the most consistent and powerful waves. Mean swell sizes during this period range from 1.0 to 1.2 meters, with December showing the largest waves (1.2m). Wind conditions, however, are less favorable in winter, with bad winds (onshore or cross-shore) occurring 68-75% of the time, though the strong ground swells can still create surfable days when winds align. Spring (March-April) and autumn (October) offer a balance between ground and wind swells, with ground swells still present but wind swells becoming more influential. Swell size averages around 1.0m in these transition months, but wind quality remains poor (76% bad wind days), limiting ideal sessions. Summer (May-September) is the least consistent period for surfing in Barbate. Ground swells drop significantly (6-23%), and wind swells dominate, but with smaller wave heights (0.6-0.8m). Wind conditions worsen, with bad winds occurring 76-81% of the time, often making conditions choppy and less appealing for quality surfing. Overall, the best months for surfers in Barbate are late autumn through winter (November-February), particularly December, when ground swells are strong and wave size peaks. While wind conditions are often less than ideal, the consistency and power of winter swells provide the best opportunities for experienced surfers. Summer months are generally poor for surfing due to weak, wind-driven swells and unfavorable winds.

August in Barbate tends to offer small to very small surf, with an average swell height of 0.6m and a decent period of 7.4s, suggesting relatively clean conditions despite the smaller size. The majority of waves come from the WSW and W directions, primarily in the 0.5-1m range (around 15-19% occurrence each), with occasional bigger sets up to 1.5m (rarely exceeding that). Wind conditions are only ideal for surfing 21% of the time, with the most common unfavorable winds being easterlies (E to NE) at moderate to strong speeds (10-30+ kph), which can create choppy or onshore conditions. Light to moderate westerlies (W, WSW) are more favorable but less frequent. Overall, August is a month for small-wave surfing, best suited for longboards or grovelers, with the most rideable days occurring when winds stay light or offshore from the west. Expect mostly knee-to-waist-high waves, with occasional chest-high sets when WSW or W swells align with lighter winds.