Map
Monte Clerigo - surf spot statistics
Monte Clerigo seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Atlantic winter engine fires on all cylinders from October through March, delivering consistent, powerful swell to Monte Clerigo. Average wave heights hover between 1.9m and 2.5m, with long-period (12-13s) groundswells from the W, WNW, and NW dominating the spectrum. Ideal offshore winds from the W/SW quadrant blow clean 25-33% of the time, often associated with post-frontal high pressure that sets up glassy mornings. This is prime time for Monte Clerigo to live up to its reputation as a powerful beach break.
Fair Surf Season (April & September)
April and September serve as transitional months where the surf is still rideable but less consistent. Swell heights average 1.5-1.9m with periods dropping to 10-11s. While the W/NW swell window remains active, the frequency of strong storms decreases. Ideal wind percentages drop to 18-19%, but occasional easterly wind events can still produce clean conditions. The main challenge is the increasing northerly wind component, which tends to add cross/onshore chop.
Low Surf Season (May - August)
Summer brings a dramatic lull in surf energy. Average heights drop to 1.4-1.6m with short-period (8-10s) NW windswell dominating. The infamous Portuguese nortada (north wind) becomes the dominant pattern, with NNW-N winds blowing 40-60% of the time, putting the spot onshore and choppy. Ideal offshore wind opportunities plummet to just 7-16%. Only the occasional southwesterly wind or distant Southern Hemisphere swell can salvage a session, but overall it's a time to explore other spots or travel.
Loading chart...
Conditions at Monte Clerigo in July
July: The Nortada Peak
July is the nadir of surf quality. Average swell height remains at 1.4m, but the period drops to 8.4s—pure windswell from the NW (57.4%) and NNW (33.1%). The 1-1.5m range dominates, with a notable 14.1% in the 0.5-1m range. Ideal wind hits an annual low of just 7%. The wind distribution is dominated by NNW (42.4%) and N (18.0%), making onshore wind the norm. The offshore window is minuscule—SW, SSW, and W winds barely register. Surfing is possible only during fleeting lulls in the nortada or when a rare tropical system sends long-period energy from the southwest. For most surfers, July is best spent chasing micro-swells at more protected corners or enjoying the beach life.
Average Spot conditions at Monte Clerigo in July
Swell history for July
Wind history for July
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Monte Clerigo during July. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Monte Clerigo for your next trip in July.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Monte Clerigo for July. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Monte Clerigo.