Lobitos - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (January - April)

The austral summer delivers the most consistent and user-friendly conditions at Lobitos. A dominant South Pacific high-pressure system sits offshore, funnelling a steady stream of long-period SSW and SW swell into the region. While these swells arrive from a less-than-ideal south direction, the north-facing beach at Lobitos manages to capture a well-refracted version of this energy, producing clean, rippable lines. The real star of the show is the wind: the offshore breeze from the south-southeast and south holds steady in the 10-20kph range, resulting in glass-topped peaks over 75% of the time. With average wave heights sitting in the fun 1-1.5m range and periods around 14 seconds, this is prime time for surfers looking for long, groomed walls.

Fair Surf Season (May & December)

May and December act as transitional bookends. The offshore wind consistency drops to around 63%, as the southern hemisphere autumn and spring bring more variability in wind speeds. The swell, however, continues to pulse with powerful SSW groundswells – May sees peak averages of 1.8m at 14 seconds. The arrival of stronger 20-30kph winds from the south-southwest begins to roughen surfaces, especially in May. These months offer a trade-off: excellent swell size for the more experienced surfer, but a higher chance of bumpy conditions. Still, when the lighter windows align, the waves are firing and often more powerful than mid-summer.

Low Surf Season (June - November)

The austral winter and early spring are characterised by the intensification of the Humboldt Current and stronger southeast trade winds. While the average swell height holds steady at 1.7-1.8m and periods remain in the 13-14 second sweet spot, the ideal wind window shrinks dramatically to around 45-50%. The wind is still predominantly offshore from the SSE and S, but it often blows in the 20-30kph range, creating a pronounced windswell chop on top of the groundswell. The swell direction remains stubbornly SSW-SW, so even without the perfect north-angle swell, there is still energy in the water. This season rewards the dedicated surfer willing to fight the wind for powerful, hollow-left peaks at the more sheltered corners of the break. It is not for beginners, but the potential for epic, charging sessions exists when a low-pressure cell sits favourably in the South Pacific.

February: Consistent Groundswell & Light Winds

February mirrors January but with a slight bump in size – average height rises to 1.5m and period holds at 13.5s. Swell distribution is heavily weighted toward the SW (57.2%), with a notable increase in the 1.5-2m range (18.2%). The SSW also contributes a solid 20.4%. The offshore wind window remains excellent at 77%, with the S and SSE quadrants providing light to moderate breeze. Expect beautifully groomed waves with plenty of push. The absence of any north swell means the waves are more predictable and less stormy. Great month for logging miles on your forehand.