Martinhal - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The heart of the North Atlantic storm track aligns to deliver the most consistent and powerful swell to Martinhal during these months. Average wave heights hover between 1.8m and 2.4m, with periods stretching from 11s to over 13s, signalling long-period groundswells. The Azores High retreats, allowing a succession of low-pressure systems to generate fetch across the western Atlantic. Swell from the optimal directions (W, WSW, SW) accounts for a significant share, and when combined with offshore winds from the W, WNW, or NW — which occur roughly 20-31% of the time — the southeast-facing beach lights up with powerful, clean lines. Expect pumping waves in the 1.5-2.5m range, especially from December through February.

Fair Surf Season (April & May & September)

As winter transitions to spring, the storm track weakens and shifts north. Average swell heights drop to 1.6-1.9m, and periods shorten to 10-11s, offering fun but less consistent conditions. April and May see a mix of residual NW swell and building windswell from the same direction, but the spot's orientation limits the best energy from the W/SW quadrant. September marks a turnaround: the ocean is still warm from summer, but the first autumn cold fronts begin to stir the Atlantic. The percentage of ideal wind days rises to a yearly high of 36%, making September a surprisingly reliable month for groomed, clean surf in the shoulder season.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer in the Algarve brings small, weak swell and a distinct lack of power. Average wave heights sit around 1.4m, with periods barely reaching 8-9s — marginal for a breaking wave at a southeast-facing beach. The dominant swell direction becomes NW and NNW, which wrap into the coast with minimal energy. Moreover, the prevailing trade wind regime delivers a relentless northerly to northwesterly wind pattern that, while offshore, often exceeds 20-30kph, creating choppy and bumpy surfaces. June offers the best chance for small, clean fun waves on a longboard, but July and August are generally flat and frustrating, with ideal wind days falling to just 20% in July.

January: Midwinter Power Play

January is the peak of the North Atlantic storm season, and Martinhal feels the full force. Average swell height hits 2.4m with a period of 13.1s, indicating powerful long-period groundswells. The swell roses show a massive dominance from the NW and NNW (over 37% combined), but these directions are not optimal for the southeast-facing shoreline. However, a healthy 5.4% of the swell arrives from the ideal W and WSW quadrants, and when these align with offshore winds from the W, WNW, or NW (23% of the time), the spot produces steep, grinding walls. The wind is predominantly from the north-northwest (10.8%), which is offshore, but often gusty. Storms track far enough south that occasional SW swell slips in, delivering the best quality days. Expect pumping 1.5-2.5m surf on the best days, but be ready for frequent onshore winds from the E/ESE that wreck the shape.