Murtosa - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life during the autumn and winter months, delivering consistent, powerful swell to Murtosa's WNW-facing shores. From October through March, deep low-pressure systems track across the North Atlantic, generating long-period waves from the WSW to NW that wrap beautifully into the bay. Average wave heights range from 2.0m to 2.6m with periods averaging 11-13s, often producing pumping conditions. Winter also brings a higher chance of offshore easterly winds, especially from E, ESE, and SE, keeping the faces clean. December and January peak with ideal wind frequencies near 50%, offering the best combination of size and shape.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

Shoulder months like April and September provide a mixed bag. Swell heights drop to around 1.6-1.9m with periods of 10-11s—still rideable but less consistent. The wind becomes more variable, with ideal offshore conditions occurring only 25-29% of the time. Spring and early autumn can still deliver solid days when a late-season storm aligns with a lingering high-pressure system over Europe, producing glassy mornings and fun-sized waves.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

The summer months see a dramatic slowdown in Atlantic storm activity. Average swell heights fall to 1.4-1.5m and periods shorten to 8.5-9.8s, resulting in weaker, mushier surf. The dominant swell direction shifts northwesterly, with NW and NNW pulses providing the most energy, but the wind is problematic: the ideal offshore wind frequency plummets to 9-21%. Instead, strong northerly and north-northwesterly winds (up to 38% of the time in summer) blow directly onshore, chopping up the surf. Occasional small southwesterly swells can offer fun-sized waves if you catch a dawn patrol window before the seabreeze kicks in.

January: Peak of the North Atlantic Fury

January is the heart of winter along the Portuguese coast. The average swell height reaches 2.6m with a long-period average of 12.8s, driven by a procession of deep extratropical cyclones across the North Atlantic. The dominant swell directions—WNW (22.1%), NW (17.2%), and W (6.8%)—are perfectly aligned with Murtosa's WNW exposure, delivering powerful, clean lines. Over 30% of the swell comes in the 2-2.5m range, often pumping. Wind conditions are favorable 48% of the time, with offshore flow from E, ESE, and SE (combined ~24%) providing clean surfaces. Light to moderate easterly winds (0-20 kph) are common, but stronger easterlies (20-30 kph) occur less than 1% of the time, so the window for pristine conditions is solid. The only downside is the occasional stormy westerly wind (W, WNW, NW) that can ruin the waves, but when the high pressure positions itself over the Bay of Biscay, expect epic, long-period groundswells with offshore glass.