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.

June: The Summer Slump Begins

June signals the start of summertime doldrums. Average swell height drops to 1.4m, period to 9.0s. Swell direction is almost entirely from the NW (46.5%) and NNW (29.5%), with negligible contribution from the ideal W/SW quadrants (less than 4% total). The wind is ideal 26% of the time, but the dominant wind is NNW at 40.2%, often blowing 20-40kph, creating a lumpy, windswell-dominated sea state. The good news: the water warms up, and the long sunny days are inviting. But the surf is marginal — mostly knee to waist-high, weak, and inconsistent. If you are desperate for a wave, a longboard or foiling craft is your best bet. Look for days when a weak SSE breeze (onshore but light) actually holds up the small NW windswell.