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.

October at Belharra offers solid surfing conditions with a dominant NW swell direction, producing consistent waves that average 1.4m in height and an impressive 11.4s period, ensuring powerful and well-formed waves. The majority of swells (59.1%) come from the NW-WNW sector, with NW alone accounting for 20.17% in the 1-1.5m range and 14.03% in the 1.5-2m range, making it the primary swell producer. WNW also contributes significantly at 2.7% for 1.5-2m waves and 0.9% for 2-2.5m, occasionally delivering more sizeable sets. Wind conditions are favorable 40% of the time, with lighter winds (0-20kph) being most prevalent from the E-SE sector, which helps maintain clean faces. However, stronger winds from the S-SSW (peaking at 20-30kph) can create chop when active. Overall, October delivers reliable, powerful swells with decent wind conditions, though surfers should monitor wind shifts to maximize clean sessions. The mix of mid-period NW energy and occasional bigger WNW pulses makes it a strong month for experienced surfers.