Gaztetape - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic cranks into high gear from October through March, delivering the most consistent and powerful swell windows to Gaztetape. Average wave heights consistently hover between 1.6m and 2.1m with long-period (11-13s) groundswells from the WNW, NW, and NNW directions dominating the spectrum. These are the months when the offshore wind probability peaks, especially from the S and SSW quadrants, with ideal conditions occurring 40-45% of the time. The combination of fetching deep-water storms tracking across the Atlantic and cold fronts sweeping southward creates the perfect recipe for clean, lined-up surf at this exposed beach break.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)

During the shoulder months of April, May, and September, the surf quality takes a slight step back but still offers plenty of fun sessions. Average heights drop to the 1.2-1.5m range and wave periods shorten (9.9-10.8s), yet the dominant swell direction remains WNW and NW. The wind becomes more mixed: offshore flows from the S/SSW still occur roughly 29-32% of the time, but onshore breezes from the N, NNW, and NW increase as spring and early fall patterns shift. Expect punchy, rideable waves with occasional power pulses from passing lows.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer brings the quietest conditions to Gaztetape. Average swell heights bottom out at just 1.0m, with shorter periods (8.8-9.2s) dominated by local windswell from the NW and NNW. The wind turns predominantly onshore – N, NNW, and NW breezes become the daily norm, making ideal offshore wind (S/SSW) a rarity at only 18-21% of the time. Waves are generally small-to-micro, choppy, and better suited for a longboard or a day off. Occasionally, a weak southerly wind shift can clean things up, but overall this is the low season for quality surf.

April: Spring Transition with Fun Waves

April sees a notable drop in average swell height to 1.5m and period to 10.8s. The swell direction is still dominated by the NW (39.3%) and WNW (29.2%), but the heights shift toward the 0.5-1.5m range, meaning more fun-sized, rippable waves. The NNW (15.5%) also contributes. Offshore wind from the S (7.3%) and SSW (5.2%) occurs only 32% of the time, while onshore N-NNW winds become more frequent (NNE 7.2%, N 7.1%, NNW 7.8%). This mix yields punchy but less consistent conditions – good for a shortboard or groveler when the wind cooperates.