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.

September at Martinhal offers relatively consistent surf conditions with an average swell height of 1.1m and a solid period of 10.5s, providing good energy for clean, rideable waves. The dominant swell directions are NW and WNW, contributing the largest share of waves in the 1-2.5m range, with NW swells particularly prominent (21.19% in the 1-1.5m range). While smaller waves (0.5-1m) are frequent, the spot sees enough mid-sized swells (1.5-2.5m) to keep intermediate to advanced surfers satisfied. Wind conditions are favorable for surfing 39% of the time, with lighter winds (10-20kph) being most common. Offshore winds (NE to E) are less frequent but occur occasionally, while stronger onshore winds (WNW to NNW) can disrupt conditions, especially when exceeding 20kph. Overall, September delivers a mix of manageable waves and decent periods, though wind luck plays a role—ideal sessions rely on those ~40% of days when winds cooperate. Bigger swells (2m+) are possible but rare, making it more suitable for performance surfing than heavy barrels.