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.

February: Consistent Size, Slightly Better Odds

February maintains a robust average swell height of 2.1m and a period of 12.0s, with swell still dominated by W (25.4%) and WNW (17.8%) directions. The favorable wind percentage ticks up to 19%, offering more opportunities for clean conditions. Winds from the E (6.8%) and ENE (6.6%) become more frequent as the continent begins to warm, providing offshore flow for the powerful groundswells. The result is a solid month for big-wave hunting, with a slight increase in the number of days where the W swell can be enjoyed without too much wind chop. Expect consistent overhead-plus surf, with the occasional XXL day when a deep low stalls in the North Atlantic.