Berria - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life during these months, with powerful low-pressure systems tracking across the basin and sending consistent, long-period NW swell towards the Bay of Biscay. Average swell heights hover between 1.5m and 2.0m, with periods often exceeding 12 seconds, delivering punchy, well- lined waves. The wind regime is equally favorable – a southerly component (SSW, SW, S) dominates, blowing offshore for this north- facing beach, and ideal wind conditions occur roughly 45–53% of the time. This is the prime window for firing, clean surf at Berria.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

These transition months offer a mixed bag. April sees lingering winter swell (ave 1.4m, period 10.9s) but a drop in ideal wind frequency to 35%, as the Azores High begins to build and north winds become more common. September marks the return of oceanic energy with an average swell height of 1.2m and period 10.4s, and ideal wind percentage climbing back to 36%. While not as consistent as winter, these months can produce surprisingly good days when a southerly breeze aligns with a fresh NW swell.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer brings a dramatic lull. The North Atlantic storm track shifts north, and the Azores High settles in, creating a persistent northerly wind regime that blows directly onshore at Berria. Average swell heights drop to just 0.9–1.1m, with periods around 9 seconds, resulting mostly in weak, short- period, messy conditions. Ideal wind plummets to 22–25%. However, occasional pulses of long- period groundswell from distant storms can sneak in, and on rare days when a late- evening southerly thermal develops, the waves can turn fun. But generally, it’s a time for smaller boards and lower expectations.

April: The Seasonal Shift

April marks a clear transition. Average swell drops to 1.4m with a period of 10.9s – still rideable but less powerful. Swell direction remains heavily NW (43.8%), with notable contributions from NNW (20.3%) and WNW (18.4%). The height distribution now peaks in the 1–1.5m range (16.3% from NW alone), so fun- sized waves are common. The big change is wind: ideal conditions fall to 35%. Easterly winds (ENE 8.4%, E 8.3%) become more frequent, and while they can be offshore in some spots, at Berria they are cross- offshore? Actually, for a north- facing beach, east wind is side- shore from the right, not ideal but not terrible. The real problem is increasing north and northwest winds that blow directly onshore. Still, on a day with a light SSW breeze and a fresh NW swell, April can deliver classic spring surf.