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.

November at Martinhal offers consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.8m and a solid period of 11.8s, providing quality waves. The primary swell direction is from the NW and WNW, contributing to the majority of waves in the 1–2.5m range, with a notable portion (13.99% NW, 9.11% WNW) falling into the powerful 1–1.5m and 1.5–2m brackets—ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. Smaller swells (0.5–1m) are frequent but less dominant. While ESE and SE swells occur, they’re less consistent and generally smaller. Wind conditions are favorable 27% of the time, with lighter offshore winds from the E-NE quadrant (sub-20kph) being most ideal. However, stronger onshore W-WSW winds (20–30kph) can occasionally disrupt conditions, particularly during larger NW swells. Overall, November delivers reliable, punchy waves, but wind variability requires selectivity for optimal sessions.