Belharra - surf spot statistics

Belharra, France, is renowned for its powerful and consistent ground swells, making it a prime destination for advanced surfers. The best months for surfing here are from November through February, when ground swell dominates (84-88% of the time) with mean swell sizes around 1.8-1.9m. These months also see relatively better wind conditions compared to the rest of the year, particularly November and December, where good wind conditions occur 56% of the time—though even then, offshore winds are not guaranteed, and bad winds still prevail 44-64% in winter. January and February maintain strong ground swells but slightly worse wind stats (37-36% good winds). March marks a transition, with ground swell dropping to 79% and mean size decreasing to 1.6m, while poor wind conditions become more frequent (68%). From April to September, conditions deteriorate significantly for high-performance surfing. Ground swells decline sharply (down to 19-29% in summer), replaced by wind swells, and swell size drops to 1.0-1.3m. Wind conditions are largely unfavorable (bad winds 70-82% of the time), making summer months less reliable. October shows a recovery, with ground swell rising to 66% and swell size increasing to 1.4m, alongside improving wind stats (40% good conditions). For the most consistent, powerful waves with a reasonable chance of favorable winds, late autumn to early winter (November-December) is the optimal window, though dedicated surfers may still score in January-February despite the wind challenges. The spot is least appealing from May to August due to weak swells and onshore winds.

March at Belharra offers solid surf conditions with a consistent swell, averaging 1.6m in height and a strong 12.2s period, indicating powerful, well-spaced waves. The dominant swell direction is NW, contributing the largest proportion of rideable waves (15-59% of the time in the 0.5-2.5m range), with WNW also providing significant energy. Smaller swells from the W and NNW occur less frequently but can still produce decent sessions. Winds are favorable for surfing 32% of the time, with the best conditions typically coming from N to NE directions, which are lighter (0-20kph) and less likely to disrupt the swell. Stronger winds, particularly from the S to WSW, can create choppy conditions, though these are less common. For advanced surfers, March delivers powerful, clean waves, especially on NW swells with offshore N/NE winds—prime for big-wave riding. However, variability in wind direction means checking forecasts is essential for scoring the best sessions.