Beliche - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life during these months, with average swell heights consistently above 2m and wave periods pushing past 12 seconds. The frequency of ideal offshore winds (N, NNE, NE, ENE) hovers between 25-33%, offering clean conditions when they align. While the dominant NW swell direction isn't optimal for Beliche's SSW-facing orientation, the occasional SW to S groundswell wraps into the bay with power and precision. When these systems couple with a north wind, the bay transforms into a world-class wave. Keep an eye on the NAO index—positive phases often funnel more southerly swell into the Portuguese south coast, turning good into great.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

These transitional months offer a mixed bag. April still sees average swell heights near 1.9m and periods around 11s, but the percentage of ideal wind drops to 23%, and the swell energy shifts toward shorter-period NW windswell. September is the start of the autumn ramp-up: heights average 1.5m with periods climbing back to 10.4s, and ideal wind frequency jumps to 33%. The combo of building swell and improving wind stats makes September a sleeper month, especially for fun-sized morning sessions before the sea breeze kicks in.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

The summer lull sets in from May through August. Average swell heights bottom out at 1.4m and periods drop into the 8-10s range—mostly short-period windswell from the prevailing NW winds. The percentage of clean offshore wind days falls to 18-23%, and the dominant swell directions (NW, NNW) produce weak, choppy conditions that rarely favor the bay. However, don't write it off entirely: occasional small pulses from the SSW or SW can deliver fun, groveling waves on a longboard or fish, especially during early morning thermal winds. It's a great time for beginner lessons or logging, but not for chasing power.

March: Transition with Power

March marks the beginning of the transition toward spring, but don't let that fool you—the ocean still packs a punch. Average swell height is 2.2m with a period of 12.3s, only slightly down from midwinter. The swell direction is still heavily weighted toward NW (27.6%) and WNW (17.4%), but the WSW (1.6%) and W (6.3%) contributions increase, reflecting a slight shift in storm tracks. Ideal wind frequency is 25%, with the N (17.3%) and NNW (18.0%) wind directions dominating the clean air flow. The afternoons often see sea breezes pick up from the SW (3.5%) or WSW (4.4%), which can deteriorate conditions quickly. Dawn patrol is your best bet. The overall vibe is consistent—solid waves with occasional excellent windows when the swell angle goes south of W.