Inatel - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic kicks into high gear as autumn progresses, and Inatel starts to see a noticeable uptick in both swell size and period. While the dominant swell directions remain from the west-northwest, the increasing frequency of southwesterly and southerly swells—combined with the highest percentage of offshore north winds—makes this the prime window. When a low-pressure system tracks across the Atlantic and sends a long-period SW swell toward Portugal, and the wind clocks into the N or NE, Inatel transforms into a clean, rippable playground. Expect wave heights in the 1-1.5m range on average, with plenty of fun, solid sets, and the occasional pumping 2m+ day. The combination of powerful 11-12s periods and favorable wind aligns best from October through March, with December often delivering the most consistent SW swell.

Fair Surf Season (April, May, September)

As spring arrives, the Atlantic storm track weakens, and the average swell height drops to 0.7-0.8m. The wave periods shorten to the 7-9s range, meaning less power and more chop on the surface. SW swell events become less frequent, and the wind starts to shift, with ideal offshore winds dropping to around 20% frequency. However, April can still see some quality southwesterly pulses, and September marks the transition with a slight uptick in swell size and period as hurricane swells from the south begin to appear. These months offer intermittent fun sessions, but consistency takes a hit. Look for a clean day when a SSW swell meets a NE breeze—those are the gems.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer is the quietest time at Inatel. The average swell height bottoms out at 0.5-0.6m, with periods often below 7s, leading to small, groveling conditions. The directional mismatch is most pronounced: the vast majority of swell comes from the west and northwest, which barely wrap into Inatel's south-facing shoreline. Meanwhile, the wind shifts offshore only about 10-14% of the time—mostly in the morning before the sea breeze kicks in. Afternoons frequently see onshore south or SW winds, ruining any chance of quality. When a rare southern hemi swell or tropical system sends a pulse of long-period energy from the south, it can salvage a session, but overall, it's a time for loggers and longboarders to work on their trim. The best bet is dawn patrol with a small board and low expectations.

April: Mixed Signals and a Drop in Consistency

April marks a clear transition into the less reliable shoulder season. The average swell height falls to 0.8m, and the period drops to 9.1s—less power and more chop. The dominant swell directions shift slightly, with W and WNW at 42.8% still leading, but there is a significant portion of small ESE and SE swell (3.9% and 7.9%) that only provides groveling conditions. SW swell accounts for 6.9%, which is a decent percentage, but the lower period and increasing onshore winds (ideal wind only 22% of the time) mean quality sessions are less common. Wind patterns are more variable: north winds (8.3%) are still present, but NNW (14.3%) and NW (13.9%) become more frequent, often creating bumpy conditions. The best bet is to monitor the forecast for a southwesterly swell with a strong NE wind—these days can produce fun, rippable waves around 1m, but don't expect long sessions. April is for the dedicated surfer who doesn't mind a mixed bag.