La Graviere - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic delivers its full fury during these months, with average swell heights hovering between 1.3m and 1.8m and periods often stretching into the 11-13 second range. This is prime time for La Graviere, as the dominant WNW-to-NW groundswells align perfectly with the beach's westerly exposure. A strong negative NAO phase often locks in a persistent Azores High, funnelling cold fronts and long-period energy into the Bay of Biscay. When these systems pass, the wind frequently clocks from the east to southeast, offering clean, offshore conditions that groom the waves into powerful, hollow lines. With ideal wind percentages climbing above 30% and up to 38% in December and February, this is when the spot truly comes alive.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

April and September represent transitional windows where the swell machine begins to slow or stir. In April, average heights drop to 1.2m with periods around 11s, but the remaining WNW fetch can still produce punchy, rideable waves. September sees a rebound from the summer lull, with heights averaging 1.1m and periods of 10.6s, as the first autumn lows start to organize. Ideal wind conditions occur roughly 26-29% of the time, often thanks to high-pressure systems settling over central Europe, generating light offshore breezes. While not as consistent or powerful as peak season, these months offer plenty of fun-sized surf with fewer crowds.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

From May through August, La Graviere goes into a summertime slumber. Average swell heights bottom out around 0.9m and periods shrink to 9-10 seconds, typical of weaker, more local windswell. The dominant swell direction shifts even more toward the NW, but the lack of strong low-pressure systems in the North Atlantic means most waves are weak and disorganized. Onshore westerly winds become the norm, with ideal offshore flow occurring only 17-22% of the time. The region often falls under the influence of a strong Azores High, bringing light breezes but also flat spells. Occasional tropical storms or distant hurricanes can send rare pulses of longer-period swell, but for the most part, this is a season for groveling on small days or exploring other activities.

November: Full Bore Winter Surf

November fires on all cylinders, with average swell height reaching 1.6m and period 11.9s. The swell is dominated by WNW (40.9%) and NW (35.9%), ensuring that La Graviere is constantly exposed to powerful, long-period groundswell. The wind is ideal 36% of the time, but what really stands out is the frequency of strong, well-organized low-pressure systems. These storms often intensify rapidly in the Labrador Sea before racing towards Europe, generating XL swells that wrap into the beach with ferocious energy. The best conditions occur when a low passes to the north and a high-pressure cell moves in from the south, bringing offshore SE winds and clearing skies. November can deliver epic, charging-size waves (>2.5m) with perfect offshore flow. However, the overall atmosphere is more aggressive, with shorter intervals between storms, so you need to pick your windows carefully. This month is for experienced surfers only when the big sets roll in.