Moneglia - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (November - March)

The North Atlantic really flexes its muscles during these months, sending consistent SW swell trains marching into the Ligurian Sea. Moneglia's south-southwest-facing beach becomes the focal point as average wave heights hover around 0.8m and periods climb to the 6s range. The real magic happens when high pressure builds over the Alps, funneling crisp offshore winds from the N, NNE, and NE quadrants. These setups groom the SW groundswell into clean, rippable lines. Expect fun-sized to solid 1-1.5m waves on the best days, with the occasional 1.5-2m pulse when a deep Atlantic low stalls in the Gulf of Genoa. The ideal wind window opens 22-23% of the time, making the winter months the most reliable for quality surf.

Fair Surf Season (April & October)

Transitional months bring a mixed bag. April sees the tail end of winter's energy – average swell heights drop to 0.7m and periods shorten to 5.6s. The SW swell still dominates, but now the wind patterns become less consistent as the Mediterranean warms up. Ideal offshore conditions only clock in at 18%. October offers a similar picture: the first autumn storms stir up 0.7m swell with 5.2s period, and the wind is good 17% of the time. These months can deliver punchy sessions if you pick the right window, but they lack the reliability of peak winter.

Low Surf Season (May - September)

Summer settles over the Ligurian coast with a warm, stable high-pressure regime that kills the swell. Average wave heights bottom out at 0.4-0.5m and periods tumble to a choppy 4.6-5.2s. The dominant SW direction still sends energy, but most of it is blown-out by onshore sea breezes that kick up in the afternoon. Ideal wind percentages sink to single digits (8-13%). While a rare S or SSW groundswell can sneak through, it's almost always accompanied by onshore winds. This is the season for micro-sessions on a foam board or laying out on the beach – not for serious surfing.

December: Peak Winter Reliability

December caps the year with the highest average swell height at 0.9m and a period of 5.9s – tied with January for the most powerful month. SW swell is the main driver at 27.3%, with a solid 5.5% in the 1-1.5m range and 3% in 1.5-2m. The wind is excellent: NE (20%) and NNE (15.1%) are the dominant flows, offering glassy offshore conditions. Ideal wind sits at 23%. The combination of strong Atlantic lows and a stationary high over central Europe funnels consistent, clean SW swell into Moneglia. Many days will see chest-high to overhead waves with smooth, offshore faces. The rare 2-2.5m SW pulse (2.2% of swell) can produce pumping, firing conditions. Pack your thickest wetsuit and keep the calendar clear – December delivers the best surf of the year.