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.

July: Peak Summer Flat Spell

July is historically the worst month for surf at Martinhal. Average swell height stagnates at 1.4m, and period falls to a lethargic 8.2s. The swell rose shows a near total domination by NNW (46.5%) and NW (43.9%), with only a tiny 0.6% coming from the west. Essentially, all the swell energy is from directions that either miss the spot entirely or produce weak, short-period windswell. Wind conditions are brutal: ideal wind days drop to just 20%, with a powerful NNW wind (53%!) often exceeding 30kph. This onshore flow (from the north is actually offshore for a SE beach, but the strength creates chop) results in small, messy waves. The water is warm, but for surfers, July is a time to travel elsewhere or take up a different sport. If you are stuck, the rare glassy morning with a fading NW swell might yield a few knee-high waves.