Martinhal - surf spot statistics

Martinhal, Portugal, benefits from consistent ground swell throughout the year, with the best conditions for surfers typically occurring from late autumn through early spring. The highest-quality surfing months are December, January, and February, when ground swell dominates (82-90% of the time), and mean swell sizes reach their peak (2.0-2.1m). These months offer powerful, clean waves but come with challenging wind conditions—good winds occur only 24-27% of the time, meaning surfers will frequently deal with onshore or cross-shore winds. March and November still provide solid surf, with ground swell presence at 73-80% and mean sizes around 1.8m, though wind conditions remain similarly unfavorable. Spring (April) and autumn (October) see a transition, with ground swell decreasing to 63-64% and mean sizes dropping to 1.5-1.6m. Wind conditions improve slightly, but good winds remain below 35%. Summer (May-September) is the least consistent period, dominated by wind swell (50-82%) and smaller waves (1.0-1.3m). While offshore winds are more frequent (33-39%), the swell quality is significantly weaker, making it better suited for beginners or longboarders. Overall, advanced surfers will find the best waves from December to February despite the wind challenges, while intermediate surfers may prefer the shoulder months (March, November) for a balance of swell size and slightly more manageable conditions. Summer offers smaller, choppier waves but better wind reliability for casual surfing.

In August, Martinhal offers relatively small but consistent surf conditions, with an average swell height of 1.0m and a decent period of 9.1s, providing clean and manageable waves. The majority of swells come from the NW and WNW directions, with a significant portion (over 50%) in the 0.5-1.5m range, ensuring frequent rideable waves, though larger sets (1.5-2.5m) are less common but do occur. Wind conditions are favorable 38% of the time, with light to moderate speeds (0-20kph) predominantly from the N-NW sector, though stronger gusts can occasionally create choppy conditions. Offshore winds are rare, but when they align—particularly from the east—they can clean up the NW swell for smoother faces. Overall, August is a reliable month for intermediate surfers, with smaller, consistent waves and occasional clean conditions, though advanced riders may find limited larger swell opportunities.