Palmeira - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic awakens in autumn, and from October through March, Palmeira sees its most consistent and powerful swell. Average wave heights hover between 2.0m and 2.3m, with long-period groundswells of 11-12 seconds arriving from the north-northwest to northwest corridors. While the dominant swell direction is from the north (N, NNE, NNW), the occasional pulse from NW or NNW wraps into the west-northwest-facing bay, offering critical, punchy surf. However, the trades blow relentlessly from the northeast, and offshore winds from the west (W, WSW, SW, SSW) are a rare commodity—occurring only 4-17% of the time. When a high-pressure system sets up favorably and a cold front passes, the stars align: a W or SW breeze cleans up the faces, and you get that elusive, glassy session on a solid 2m swell. This is the window to chase.

Fair Surf Season (April - September)

As the Atlantic storm track shifts north, the swell machine slows down. From April through September, average wave heights drop to 1.4-2.0m and periods shorten to 8-10 seconds, signaling a transition to smaller, more windswell-driven conditions. The swell direction remains locked in from the north (N, NNE), which isn't ideal for the WNW-facing beach—waves arrive on a poor angle and often lack the power to wrap in cleanly. On the flip side, the trade winds weaken slightly, and the percentage of offshore flow (W, WSW, SW, SSW) jumps considerably, especially from July to September (24-30% of the time). This means you can score fun-sized, rippable waves when a weak groundswell coincides with a westerly breeze—conditions that are far more user-friendly than winter's gnarly combo of big swell and strong trades.

Low Surf Season (May - June)

May and June represent the absolute trough of the year. Average swell heights bottom out at 1.5-1.8m, periods crater to 7.9-8.7 seconds, and the swell direction is overwhelmingly from the NNE (72-84% of all waves). This angle barely registers at the Palmeira sandbar, resulting in short-period, choppy, and weak surf. Offshore wind chances are also low (2-7%), meaning the trades usually add a lumpy texture. It's a period best reserved for travel elsewhere or for dedicated longboarders content with micro, groveling waves. If you must be in the water, stick to a high-volume board and manage expectations.

January: North Atlantic Giants

January delivers the biggest surf of the year. Average swell heights reach 2.3m with a healthy 11.6-second period, fueled by powerful extratropical lows ripping across the North Atlantic. Swell direction is dominated by the north (N at 10%, NNE at 26.5%, but importantly NNW at 22.4% and a sliver of NW at 1.7%). The NNW and NW components are the closest to the ideal WNW window, providing the best chance for well-shaped lines to wrap into the bay. However, the wind is a significant obstacle: the trades blow from the NE 59.5% of the time, often at 20-40 kph, creating bumpy conditions. Offshore winds from the west (W, WSW, SW, SSW) total only 0.6% of the month. That 7% ‘ideal wind’ statistic captures the rare moments when a westerly breeze aligns with a clean swell window—those are the sessions to stalk.