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 July, Martinhal offers generally small but rideable surf conditions with an average swell height of 1.1m and a decent period of 8.8s, providing some energy for fun, albeit smaller waves. The swell distribution shows that most waves come from the NW and WNW directions, with the majority falling in the 0.5-1.5m range (over 50% combined). Larger swells (1.5-2.5m) are possible but less frequent, making the spot better suited for intermediate surfers or those comfortable with small-wave surfing. Wind conditions are favorable 35% of the time, with the dominant winds coming from N, NW, and NNW, often ranging between 10-30kph. Stronger winds (20-30kph+) can occasionally create chop, especially when blowing from the north, but lighter winds (0-20kph) are common enough to provide cleaner sessions. Overall, July is a decent month for surfing at Martinhal, best suited for those happy with smaller, manageable waves, with the best conditions occurring when winds are light and swells from the NW provide consistent, if not particularly powerful, surf.