El Jadida - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic awakens in autumn, sending powerful, long-period swell trains toward the Moroccan coast. From October through March, average wave heights hover around 1.8-2.0m with periods frequently exceeding 12 seconds, often reaching the 'very powerful' 15-19s range. This is when extratropical storms spin up across the North Atlantic, generating consistent NW and NNW swell that wraps into El Jadida's NNE-facing beach. The real gem, however, is the window of offshore winds. During these months, the percentage of ideal wind (from S, SSW, SW, WSW) peaks between 23% and 29%. When the alignment of a solid NW groundswell and a southerly thermal gradient or passing low-pressure system delivers that offshore flow, the beach lights up with smooth, rippable lines. The combination of punchy 1-1.5m waves and longer-period swell makes for excellent surfing conditions. While the wind can be fickle, winter offers the most reliable swell and the best odds for a clean session.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

April and September represent transitional months at El Jadida. The swell energy begins to wane in spring and slowly rebuilds in early autumn. Average wave heights drop to 1.3-1.6m, and periods settle into the 10-12s range – still rideable and often punchy. The frequency of ideal wind hovers around 16-20%, which is decent but not as consistent as winter. During these months, the dominant swell continues to arrive from the NW and NNW, but there are more days with smaller, weaker swell (0.5-1.5m). The wind patterns are shifting: spring brings an uptick in NE trades, while autumn sees the return of more variable flow. Surf sessions in April and September can be rewarding, especially when a modest low-pressure system passes through and provides clean, offshore conditions. It's a good time to enjoy the beach with fewer crowds and occasional fun-sized waves.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

From May through August, the North Atlantic storm track shifts north, and El Jadida experiences a significant drop in wave energy. Average swell heights fall to 1.2m, and periods dip into the 8-10s range – often choppy and weak. The dominant swell direction becomes predominantly NNW, with over 60% of the waves coming from that direction in many months. This means the swell is more northerly, but still not ideal as the beach faces NNE. The real killer, though, is the wind. The percentage of ideal offshore wind plummets to just 7-14%. Instead, the coast is dominated by strong, onshore N and NNE winds, which make up over half of the wind observations. These winds generate short-period, windswell-like conditions with bumpy surfaces. The wave heights rarely exceed 1m, and those that do are often blown out. While there may be an occasional morning glass-off or a rare southerly breeze, summer is generally flat and frustrating for surfers. Best to save the board for the winter months or seek alternative spots.

December: Full Winter – Maximum Power

December brings the highest average swell heights of the year at 2.0m, with a period of 12.9 seconds. Swell direction is dominated by NW (36.8%) and NNW (22.6%), with W (3.4%), WNW (15.8%), and even N (0.8%) showing up. The ideal wind reaches its peak at 29% – the highest of any month. This is due to an increase in southerly and southwesterly winds (combined SW, SSW, WSW total over 20%). The wave height distribution shows a large chunk in the 1.5-2.5m range (pumping to firing) and even a small percentage over 2.5m (massive). December is the month of epic, heavy, pumping conditions. Strong Atlantic lows spin up with relentless consistency, and when the wind aligns, the beach offers world-class waves. The period often stretches into the 15-19s range, making for very powerful waves. Surfers need to be prepared for big, challenging conditions. However, the wind can still be tricky, with frequent N and NE winds too. But the odds are in your favor. December is the climax of the season at El Jadida.