Monte Clerigo - surf spot statistics

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.

June: Small and Choppy

June bottoms out in terms of quality. Average swell height is 1.4m with a short-period 9.2s. NW swell accounts for an overwhelming 52.4% of the energy, but most of it is in the 1-1.5m range—small, weak windswell. Ideal wind is just 11%, as the northerly wind machine cranks up: NNW winds blow 32.4% of the time, N winds 15.5%, and NW winds 18.9%, all onshore for Monte Clerigo. The offshore quadrant (W through SSW) totals only about 8% of observations. On the rare occasion that a southerly breeze sets in, expect tiny, clean waves suitable for longboards or foils. Otherwise, it's a month to explore other regions or wait for a distant south swell that might wrap in.