La Setenta - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (November - February)

The heart of winter delivers the most consistent surf at La Setenta, driven by the North Atlantic storm track. November through February sees average swell heights hovering around 0.7m with periods reaching 6.1s, and ideal offshore wind conditions occur 20-23% of the time. While the trade wind belt still pumps easterly wind, the increased frequency of cold fronts sweeping down from the Gulf of Mexico can swing winds to the south, creating clean, offshore conditions. Swell from the N, NW and NNW quadrants peaks during this window, with NNW alone supplying up to 23% of all waves in January. Most of this swell is in the 0.5-1.5m range – fun-sized and rideable when the wind cooperates. It's a game of patience and reading the charts, but when a low-pressure system stalls off the Florida coast, La Setenta can light up with punchy, long-period lines.

Fair Surf Season (March - April & October)

Shoulder months offer a mixed bag. March and April see average swell heights drop to 0.5-0.6m and periods shorten to 5.4-5.7s, while ideal wind windows shrink to around 18%. The North Atlantic is still active, but the storm track shifts north, reducing the frequency of quality NW swell. However, the occasional late-season cold front can still produce clean conditions with south winds. October marks the ramp-up as autumn begins; swell heights climb back to 0.6m and wind ideal percentages rise to 19%. The swell direction mix leans heavily on ENE (20-31% of all waves), but those east angles are largely blocked by the island and don't reach the break. You need those precious windows of NW to N swell to align with a southerly breeze – it happens, but not often. Overall, these months are for the committed local who knows the forecast windows.

Low Surf Season (May - September)

Summer brings the lowest energy of the year. From May through September, average swell heights bottom out at 0.3-0.4m and periods drop to 4.4-4.9s – think choppy, short-period windswell from the relentless trade winds. Ideal offshore wind percentages plummet to 3-14%, as the Bermuda High locks in a persistent easterly flow. The predominant swell direction is ENE (42-54% of all waves in some months), which is shadowed completely by the surrounding landmass, leaving La Setenta starved of any meaningful energy. The rare exception comes from a tropical system or a rogue summer cold front that can generate a brief pulse of NW swell, but these events are few and far between. For most surfers, this is the time to travel or focus on other sports – the wave quality is simply too inconsistent for a worthwhile session.

May: The Summer Slump Begins

May marks the start of the low season in earnest. Average swell height plummets to 0.4m and period to 4.9s. ENE swell dominates at 41.3%, almost entirely below 0.5m. Optimal swell from the NW quadrant falls to 15% of the total. Wind ideal conditions drop to 14%, with easterly trades (E and ENE) accounting for 45% of all wind observations. The influence of the Bermuda High becomes entrenched, locking in persistent sideshore winds and low-energy windswell. Any rideable waves are rare – the few NW pulses are usually anemic and short-lived. May is best spent working on your tan or planning a trip to more reliable spots.