Canide Norte - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic firing squad is in full effect. During these months, average swell heights consistently top 1.4m with long periods above 11s, primarily from the W-NW quadrants. The Portuguese coastline becomes a magnet for powerful groundswells generated by intense extratropical cyclones tracking across the Atlantic. Importantly, a high percentage of offshore wind events (up to 48% in December) from the SW-WNW directions create pristine, glassy conditions at Canide Norte. When the jet stream aligns and a strong Azores High extends east, the result is clean, pulsing WNW groundswell wrapping perfectly into the bay. This is prime time for consistent, quality surf.

Fair Surf Season (April, May, September)

As the seasons transition, the frequency and intensity of Atlantic storms decrease. Swell heights average between 1.1m and 1.3m, with periods in the 10-11s range—still rideable but lacking the power of winter. Winds become more variable, with a higher prevalence of northerly and northwesterly components that are often onshore or cross-shore. However, occasional injections of longer period swell from distant storms can still produce fun surf, especially in September when the first autumn lows begin to form. Patience is key during these months.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer settles in and the surf goes into a lull. Average swell heights drop to around 0.9m with periods under 10s, predominantly short-period NW and WNW windswell. The dominant wind pattern is from the north-northwest (NNW), which blows directly onshore at Canide Norte, chopping up what little swell exists. Offshore wind from the SW-WNW is rare, occurring less than 15% of the time. Expect small, weak, and often messy conditions. This is the time for gear adjustments or alternative activities.

December: Winter's Grand Finale

December is the pinnacle of the surf season at Canide Norte. Average swell height is 1.7m, and period is 12.3s, with top-end days exceeding these. The swell direction mix includes a healthy share of WNW (38.5%), W (18.7%), and NW (20.7%), providing a variety of angles. The wind is ideal a full 48% of the time, the highest of any month. The wind regime shows a marked decrease in northerly winds (NNW 5.1%, N 8.4%) and an increase in favorable offshore directions. The combination of consistent, powerful groundswell and frequent offshore winds creates a recipe for epic surf. This is the month to clear your schedule and make the most of every swell window.