Imsouane - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life during the autumn and winter months, and Imsouane reaps the reward. From October through March, average swell heights hover near 2.0-2.3m with long periods of 11-13 seconds, fueled by powerful extratropical storms tracking across the North Atlantic. While the dominant swell direction is from the NW to NNW quadrant — not ideal for this SSW-facing bay — the long period energy wraps into the coast, and when combined with frequent offshore winds from the north through northeast, the conditions can be firing. The best swell angles are from the south and southwest, so a slight shift in storm track can produce world-class waves at the point. This is the prime window for epic, pumping surf.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

April and September serve as transitional months. The average swell height drops slightly to 1.6-2.1m and periods shorten to 9-11 seconds as the storm track retreats north in spring or begins to strengthen in fall. The northwesterly swell still dominates, but the wind consistency remains favorable — especially in September with a 70% ideal wind score. Expect punchy, rideable waves with occasional larger long-period swells as the seasons shift. These months offer a nice balance of size and crowd-light conditions.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer is the low season for wave size at Imsouane. From May through August, average swell heights drop to 1.6-1.9m and periods shorten to 7-9 seconds, with the swell almost exclusively from the north-northwest. The upside is the prevalence of offshore winds — June, July, and August all see ideal wind conditions over 59% of the time, often reaching 66-71%. This means clean, fun-sized waves perfect for loggers, grovelers, and beginners. While the heavy, pumping winter groundswells are a distant memory, the consistent, small summer surf offers its own charm with warm water and plenty of sunshine.

January: The Heart of Winter Power

January is the heart of the North Atlantic storm season, and Imsouane sees its largest average swell heights of the year at 2.3m with a long period of 13.2 seconds. The swell direction is overwhelmingly from the north-northwest (29.6%) and northwest (26.5%), which is not ideal for this SSW-facing point. However, the long period (over 12 seconds) allows the energy to wrap around and produce powerful, lined-up sets, especially when the swell has a hint of west in it. Offshore winds are a gift from the frequent northerly and north-northeasterly breezes, combining for 61% favorable conditions. The key to epic days is a slight southerly steering of the low-pressure system, adding a S or SSW component to the swell. When that happens, the bay comes alive with heavy, pumping waves that can hold over 2.5m. Otherwise, expect powerful but imperfect north swell with clean faces — still very surfable for experienced chargers.