Espinho - surf spot statistics

Espinho, Portugal, offers surfers consistent conditions year-round, though the best months for quality waves and favorable winds are typically from October through March. During this period, ground swells dominate, accounting for 62-89% of the swell activity, with mean swell sizes ranging from 1.3m to 1.8m—ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. The winter months, particularly December to February, deliver the largest and most consistent waves (1.6-1.8m), but wind conditions are less reliable, with bad winds occurring 57-60% of the time. October and November strike a good balance, offering solid ground swells (62-74%) and marginally better wind conditions (37-39% good winds). Spring (April-May) and autumn (September) see a mix of ground and wind swells, with smaller waves (1.1-1.3m) and poorer wind reliability (70-75% bad winds). Summer (June-August) is the least favorable, with weak, wind-dominated swells (0.9m) and onshore winds 76-79% of the time. For surfers prioritizing wave quality, winter is optimal despite the wind variability, while those seeking a compromise between swell and wind may prefer late autumn or early winter. Advanced riders will find the biggest challenge in peak winter, while beginners might prefer the smaller, less consistent waves of late spring or early autumn.

February in Espinho offers solid surfing conditions with a consistent swell and decent wind patterns. The average swell height is 1.7m, paired with a healthy 13s period, ensuring well-formed and powerful waves. The majority of swell comes from the W (15.85% in 0.5-1m range, 14.07% in 1-1.5m) and WNW (10.86% in 0.5-1m, 6.55% in 1-1.5m), which typically produces clean, rideable waves at this spot. Larger swells (2m+) are less frequent but present, mainly from NW and W directions. Wind is favorable for surfing 40% of the time, with lighter winds (0-20kph) predominantly from E, ENE, and NE, minimizing onshore chop. Stronger winds (20-50kph) occasionally come from NW and WNW, which can create challenging conditions. Overall, February delivers reliable surf with a mix of medium to larger waves and a reasonable chance of clean conditions, best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers.