Cordoama - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

This is the prime window for Cordoama. The North Atlantic winter roars to life, with average swell heights consistently above 2m and long-period energy (12-13s average) dominating the spectrum. Swell from the NW, WNW, and NNW quadrants—the optimal angles for this NW-facing beach—make up the lion's share of the wave climate, delivering powerful, organized lines. The trade-off is that the prevailing wind during these months is often from the north, which can be cross-shore or even onshore (NNW). However, when a low-pressure system tracks far enough south to generate an offshore flow from the W, WSW, SW, or SSW, conditions become world-class—clean faces, hollow sections, and that legendary Portuguese power. The percentage of ideal wind hovers around 15-19%, meaning you need to pick your days, but when it lines up, it's as good as it gets.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

These shoulder months offer a compromise between smaller, more manageable swell and a slightly higher chance of lighter winds. April still sees solid NW swell in the 1.5-2m range (average 1.9m) with a period around 11s—still punchy and rideable. The wind is less consistent than winter, with ideal offshore conditions occurring only 13% of the time. September sees a transition back toward winter patterns: average swell height 1.5m, period 10.4s, and ideal wind 14%. Swell direction remains predominantly NW and NNW, but wave heights are more modest. These months are great for logging a few fun sessions without the heavy crowds and extreme size of winter.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

The summer months bring a dramatic drop in both swell size and quality. Average wave heights fall to 1.4-1.6m and periods drop below 10s, often into the 8-9s range, meaning the waves become shorter-period and less powerful. The dominant swell direction shifts heavily toward the NW and NNW, but these same directions also bring the prevailing summer northerly and northwesterly winds, which are directly onshore for Cordoama. The percentage of ideal wind plummets to single digits (5-8% in June, July, August). As a result, the beach is often choppy, blown out, and small—better suited for a beach day than a proper surf session. You might find the occasional clean morning with a light easterly breeze, but for serious wave quality, wait until September.

September: The Turn of the Tide

September signals the end of summer and the beginning of the autumn swell ramp-up. Average wave height increases to 1.5m and period climbs to 10.4s—now firmly in the average, punchy range. Swell direction remains NW-heavy (47.1%) with NNW (25.5%) and WNW (14.3%). Wave heights are still modest (mostly 1-1.5m from NW), but there are increasing amounts of 1.5-2m and 2-2.5m. The wind becomes more favorable: ideal offshore conditions jump to 14% of the time. While NNW (32.6%) and N (18.6%) still dominate, the frequency of lighter winds and occasional SW flow increases. Early season lows can produce the first proper groundswell of the autumn. September offers a taste of the coming winter and is a great month for those wanting smaller crowds and improving waves.