Guethary - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic swings into full production mode during these six months, delivering a steady diet of powerful, long-period swell to the NW-facing shores of Guethary. Average wave heights hover between 1.3m and 1.8m, with periods consistently above 11s and often reaching 13s, putting the spot firmly into the pumping and firing categories. The climatalogical dip in the Azores High allows low-pressure systems to barrel across the basin, sending trains of W, WNW, NW and NNW swell straight into the Bay of Biscay. Offshore wind windows – driven by continental high pressure or the eastern flank of passing lows – occur 41-50% of the time, perfect for grooming those long, clean lines. December stands out as the statistical peak, but every month from October through March offers ample opportunity for classic Guethary barrels.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

April and September represent the shoulder months, where the ocean still holds respectable swell but the consistency and power begin to wane. Average swell heights drop to 1.1-1.2m, periods shorten to 10.6-11.0s, and ideal wind frequency falls to around 29%. Swell directions remain dominated by WNW and NW – the bread and butter for this spot – but the mix is peppered with more small, weak pulses. Spring and autumn transition patterns often bring fickle conditions: some days deliver punchy, rideable waves, others are plagued by onshore breezes from the W or NW. For the patient surfer, these months can still yield solid sessions, especially when a late-season storm sneaks through and a high-pressure ridge parks itself over the continent, producing offshore flow.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer at Guethary is a classic tale of diminished energy. From May through August, average swell heights bottom out at 0.9-1.0m and periods slump to 9.0-10.1s, often producing small, fun-sized or groveling conditions. The dominant swell still arrives from the NW and WNW, but the fetch is generally weak – either from distant tropical systems or lightweight Atlantic lows. More critically, the percentage of ideal offshore wind plummets to 15-23%, as the prevailing regime shifts to spring/summer westerlies and sea breezes that ruin the wave face. While the occasional long-period groundswell can sneak in from a rogue storm, the day-to-day reality is small, wind-affected surf. This is the season to save your energy, explore other spots, or wait for the autumn equinox to reignite the North Atlantic machine.

August: Late Summer Lull, Subtle Hints of Change

August is almost a carbon copy of July in terms of average swell height (0.9m) and period (9.4s). The swell direction holds firm as NW (66.8%) and WNW (25.7%) dominate, but note a tiny uptick in W swell (0.2%) compared to July. Height distribution remains heavily weighted toward the small side – 80% of the waves are less than 1.5m. Ideal wind improves slightly to 19%, a marginal gain from July but still very poor. The wind regime is nearly identical: onshore northwesterlies (WNW 15.6%, NW 16.5%, W 12.1%) still rule, but there is a slight increase in NNE to E winds (collectively ~11%), offering a bit more opportunity for clean conditions. Towards the end of August, the first hints of autumn appear: the Atlantic storm track starts to flirt with lower latitudes, and a few long-period pulses can sneak in. These are rare but can produce a surprise shoulder-high day with perfect texture if the wind cooperates. Overall, August is still a low season month, but the light at the end of the tunnel is visible for those willing to wait for the equinox.