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.

In June, Barbate offers relatively small but surfable conditions with an average swell height of 0.7m and a decent period of 7.8s, providing some energy for riders. The best swells come predominantly from the west (W, WSW, WNW), contributing to most of the waves, particularly in the 0.5-1.5m range. Larger swells (2m+) are rare, with only minor contributions from W and WSW directions. Wind conditions are less than ideal, with only 22% of the time being favorable for surfing—typically when winds are light (0-20kph). Stronger easterly (E, ENE) and westerly (W, WSW) winds are common, often creating choppy or cross-shore conditions, which can hinder wave quality. Overall, June is a middling month for surfing in Barbate, best suited for less-demanding sessions or longboarders when wind conditions align. Expect mostly small, manageable waves with occasional cleaner days.