Oum El Bouir - surf spot statistics

Oum El Bouir in Western Sahara is a prime surf spot with consistent conditions year-round, though the best months are clearly defined by swell quality, size, and wind. The most reliable period for surfers is from November to February, when ground swell dominates (80-87%) with minimal wind swell interference, ensuring clean, powerful waves averaging 1.4-1.6m. Wind conditions are also most favorable during these months, particularly in November, December, and January, with good offshore winds around 65-66% of the time. February sees a slight drop in favorable winds (51%) but maintains excellent swell consistency. March and April still offer decent ground swell (72-79%), but wind conditions deteriorate, with onshore winds becoming more frequent (59-64%). From May through September, the spot shifts to wind swell dominance (62-99%), which tends to be less organized and weaker, though September shows a slight ground swell return (32%). Summer months (June-August) have the worst conditions, with almost pure wind swell (91-99%) and poor wind stats (36-44% good winds). October marks the transition back to better surf, with ground swell rising to 64% and winds improving (59% favorable). Overall, winter delivers the highest quality waves, while summer is inconsistent and better suited for beginners or windsurfing. For advanced surfers, November to January is the peak window.

October at Oum El Bouir offers solid surf conditions, particularly for those comfortable with mid-sized waves. The average swell height is 1.2m with a strong 11.0s period, providing consistent, well-spaced waves with good energy. The swell direction is predominantly from the N to NNW, with the highest frequency (31.07%) coming from NNW in the 1-1.5m range, making it the primary swell direction. There’s also a notable 15.57% from N in the same size range, ensuring decent wave variety. Larger sets (1.5-2.5m) occur but are less frequent, mostly from NNW and N. Wind conditions are favorable 59% of the time, with the most common winds ranging 10-20kph from NNE, NE, and NNW, which should offer clean or lightly textured faces. Stronger winds (20-30kph) occasionally come from NNE but don’t dominate. Overall, October delivers reliable surf with good quality, especially when winds align, making it a solid month for intermediates and advanced surfers who can handle the occasional punchier sets.