Encuentro - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

As the North Atlantic settles into its winter pattern, the fetch from strong extratropical cyclones between the US East Coast and Bermuda becomes the primary energy source for Encuentro. Average swell heights climb to 1.5-1.6m with periods hovering in the 9.3-9.4s range – a solid combination that delivers punchy, rideable waves. The wind regime is a gamble, however; despite ideal offshore winds from the S/SW quadrant occurring only 18-23% of the time, the occasional cold front passage can pivot the wind to the south, creating glassy conditions on the best N-to-NW swells. This is the window for the spot to truly fire.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

Transition months see a subtle shift in the dominant swell direction from ENE toward E, and wave heights dip to 1.2-1.3m with periods around 8.8-8.9s – still offering plenty of fun, rippable waves. The wild card is wind: September boasts the highest ideal wind percentage of the year (39%), while April sits at 21%. In September, the tail end of hurricane season can inject long-period, powerful swell into the mix, but it's a hit-or-miss scenario. Expect average conditions with occasional standout days when a tropical system aligns with a southerly breeze.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer ushers in a pronounced lull. Swell heights drop to 1.1-1.2m and periods shorten to 7.2-8.1s, resulting in weaker, more chopped-up waves. The trade wind machine kicks into high gear, with E-ESE winds dominating over 60% of the time – onshore and side-onshore for this north-northeast facing beach. While the ideal wind percentage rises to 27-33%, the lack of consistent, quality groundswell means surfers will be groveling on small, wind-affected waves. Only the occasional tropical wave or far-off hurricane swell can break the monotony, but such events are rare.

April: Spring Lull Sets In

The surf starts to mellow in April as average swell height falls to 1.3m and period drops to 8.9s. The swell direction compresses toward ENE (40.6%) and NE (29.9%), with NNE contributing 12.1% – still decent quality but less of the powerful N/NW energy. Wind remains the biggest challenge: E and ESE winds account for 51.3% of the time, while ideal S/SSW winds total only 1.7%. At 21% ideal wind, you'll need a cold front passage or a strong sea breeze cycle to get clean conditions. When that happens, the waves are fun-sized (0.5-1.5m), good for logging or a groveling shortboard.