Ouakam - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life during the winter months, and Ouakam feels the full brunt of the energy. From October through March, a steady stream of powerful extratropical storms marching across the North Atlantic generates long-period swell that wraps around the Cap-Vert peninsula, predominantly from the NNW and NW. Average swell heights hold in the 1.5-1.8m range, with periods commonly exceeding 12s, delivering punchy, powerful surf. The trade winds strengthen during this window, blowing from the N and NNE, providing clean, offshore conditions for the majority of the time. When the atmosphere aligns, we see sunny skies, light offshore breezes, and consistent, well-ordered lines rolling in all day long – this is the sweet spot for Ouakam.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

The transition months of April and September offer a mixed bag. April sees swell heights still in the 1.7m range, but the period drops notably to around 10.8s, resulting in less power. Northerly winds remain strong, but the percentage of truly ideal (light and offshore) wind drops to just 13%. September marks the beginning of the upswing, with swell period increasing to 10.1s and ideal wind conditions occurring 32% of the time as the trade winds relax. Swell starts to rebuild, but heights remain modest at 1.3m. These months can be rewarding for those willing to gamble on the right combination of swell and wind windows – often delivering clean, waist-shoulder high surf on the better days.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

During the northern summer, the North Atlantic storm track retreats, and Ouakam enters its low season. From May through August, average swell heights drop to 1.3-1.6m and periods shorten to 8-9s, producing weaker, groveling waves. The wind regime shifts: northerly trades weaken and are replaced by onshore W to NW winds that create bumpy, sometimes messy conditions. However, occasional pulses of SW swell (especially in August and September) can provide some fun rides, and when the N/NE winds do reassert themselves, the surf can still offer fun-sized waves. Ideal wind percentages sit between 18-26%, making it essential to chase the rare clean windows. Overall, this is a quiet period best suited for beginners or those looking to avoid the crowds.

February: Peak Winter Swell

February holds the same average swell height of 1.8m and a very long average period of 12.4s. The swell direction is even more concentrated, with a staggering 81.0% coming from the NNW and 10.3% from the NW. The wave height distribution peaks in the 1.5-2m range, offering pumping, heavy conditions. Wind patterns are slightly more aggressive: N and NNE winds account for 45.0% and 33.7% of observations respectively, with speeds frequently in the 20-30kph bracket (32.9% from N). This creates consistent offshore winds that sculpt the waves into clean, heaving lines. The ideal wind percentage drops to 14% due to the stronger wind speeds, but when the wind is on, the quality is world-class. Expect long-period groundswell to produce powerful, grinding peaks that demand respect.