La Torche - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life during these months, with a steady stream of extratropical cyclones tracking across the basin. This delivers consistent, powerful groundswells from the W and WNW quadrants, with average wave heights ranging from 1.8m in March to 2.2m in January and December. Periods typically run between 11 and 12 seconds, offering punchy, long-period surf that handles any size. While favorable wind conditions (from the SW to NW quadrant) occur only 16% to 21% of the time, the sheer volume of swell energy makes the winter half-year the prime window for experienced surfers. When a high-pressure ridge sets up over the continent, a crisp offshore flow from the east can groom these powerful W walls into clean, lined-up sets – that is when the magic truly unfolds at La Torche.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)

Shoulder months bring a noticeable drop in average swell heights, settling between 1.2m and 1.4m, with periods easing to 9-10 seconds. The frequency of favorable winds increases to 22-23%, providing more clean, glassy days. Swell directions remain dominated by W and WNW, but with a higher proportion of smaller, rideable waves in the 1-1.5m range. These months offer a sweet spot for all levels – enough power from distant lows to make it interesting, but with a better chance of uncrowded, smooth conditions. Spring and early autumn produce some of the most user-friendly days of the year.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer transforms the North Atlantic into a relative lull. Average wave heights bottom out at 1.0m, and periods shrink to 8.5-8.9 seconds, signaling a shift to weaker, shorter-period windswell. The dominant swells still come from the W and WNW, but often lack the energy to break with any real power. Favorable wind percentages dip as low as 16-19%, and the most common winds are from the NW quadrant, which, while technically favorable, frequently blow too strong for clean surfaces. Expect smaller, choppier surf during the summer months – best suited for longboards, foils, or the occasional lucky day when a tropical system or lingering North Atlantic low sends a pulse of waist-to-chest high waves with light offshore breezes.

December: Peak of the Season

December sees the return of the highest average swell heights, at 2.1m, with a period of 11.5s. Swell is predominantly from W (20.9%), WNW (16.2%), and WSW (11.5%), similar to January but with slightly more directional spread. Favorable wind conditions remain low at 16%, as persistent SW (8.9%) and WSW (10.3%) winds often spoil the quality. However, the sheer size and power of the swell mean that even a short window of east-northeast wind (E 8.3%, ENE 6.4%) can produce XXL, charging conditions. December is a month for big-wave enthusiasts who are willing to brave the wind odds for that perfect, glassy, overhead-plus session.