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.

May: Small Swells, Wait for Windows

May sees the summer lull set in. Average swell height drops to 1.1m, period to 10.0s. The NW direction still dominates (53.2% of all swell), but most of it is in the 0.5–1m range (20.5%) and 1–1.5m (18.5%). Over 75% of NW swell is under 1.5m, meaning mostly waist- high or smaller waves. Ideal wind plummets to 31%, as north to northeast winds (N 5.2%, NNE 4.5%, NE 5.1%) increase and blow directly onshore. The southerly flow weakens (S only 2.9%, SSW 2.9%). The best chance for surf is during brief southerly wind events ahead of weak troughs, or very early morning before the sea breeze kicks in. It’s a groveling month, but fun if you’re patient.