Cabo de San Antonio - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

As the North Atlantic storm track fires up, Cabo de San Antonio sees a welcome increase in average swell heights to around 1.1-1.2m. While the predominant swell direction remains from the northeast and east quadrant due to persistent trade winds, the occasional frontal passage can swing winds into a favorable offshore quadrant (N, NNE, NE, NNW), cleaning up the waves. South and southwest swells, though rare, are most likely during this period as old lows track across the Gulf or from distant Southern Hemisphere storms. The average period of 6-7 seconds keeps waves punchy and rideable, but don't expect long-period groundswells often. When the alignment is right, these months offer the best chance for quality surf at this south-facing reef.

Fair Surf Season (April, September)

Transitional months. April sees a drop in average height to 0.9m as the winter pattern weakens. Trade winds remain strong from the east, making offshore conditions less frequent. September, on the fringe of hurricane season, can bring sudden pulses of south to southwest swell from tropical systems in the Gulf, but also the risk of messy onshore winds. Wave periods are short, averaging 6 seconds, so conditions are usually small and choppy, but occasional clean small waves can be found.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

The summer doldrums settle in with average swell heights bottoming out at 0.6-0.7m and periods around 6-7 seconds. The dominant easterly trade winds (E, ESE, SE) blow almost constantly, creating onshore conditions that wreck what little wave energy exists. South swell events are extremely scarce (less than 1% occurrence). During this period, the spot is mostly flat or blown out, making it a poor time for surfing. The only hope is a fleeting tropical disturbance that might bring rare south swell and light winds, but reliability is extremely low.

January: The North Atlantic Roars, But Direction Matters

January delivers the highest average swell height of the year at 1.2m, but don't get too excited. The vast majority of this energy arrives from the north and east quadrants (NNW 14.8%, NNE 11.7%, E 12.0%, ESE 12.6%), which offer little to no quality for a south-facing spot like Cabo. South-southwest swell, the ideal direction, accounts for a stingy 2.9% of the total. The average period sits at 6.7s, keeping waves in the average, punchy, rideable range. Offshore wind is possible only 16% of the time, primarily when high pressure nudges winds from the north (N, NNE, NE, NNW). However, the dominant wind flow is from the east (E 17.7%, ENE 16.5%), creating onshore chop. The occasional cold front passage may swing winds briefly offshore and deliver a rare south pulse, but consistency is low. Expect mostly small, fun-sized 0.5-1m surf with strong trade wind influence.