Panton - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic storm track fires up in October and doesn't let up until March, delivering a steady stream of powerful, long-period groundswells to Panton's NNW-facing beach. Average swell heights range from 2.4m in October to a peak of 3.3m in January, with periods consistently above 11 seconds – often reaching 12-13s. This is prime time for the spot, as the dominant WNW and NW swells wrap in cleanly, and the percentage of ideal offshore wind (S, SSW, SW) hits 23-30% of the time. High pressure over continental Europe frequently sets up a southerly airflow, creating glassy conditions. However, the same low-pressure systems that generate the swell can also bring onshore N winds with cold fronts, so timing is key. The NAO tends to be in a positive phase during these months, steering storms north of Spain and amplifying the swell window for Panton.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)

Spring and early fall serve as transitional windows where quality surf is possible but less consistent. In April and May, the average swell drops to 1.8-2.3m and periods shorten to 9.8-10.7s, reflecting a less energetic North Atlantic. The percentage of ideal wind also falls to 20-21%, though periods of southerly flow still clean up the waves. Swell directions shift subtly: while WNW and NW remain dominant, a higher proportion of N and NNE swell appears, which is not as well-aligned with the beach and can be side-onshore. September marks the start of the autumnal ramp-up, with swell averaging 1.9m and periods climbing back to 10.2s, plus a healthy 25% ideal wind. These months can deliver fun, rippable waves when a storm track reloads, but they lack the raw power of winter.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer is the doldrums for Panton. Average swell heights hover around 1.5-1.6m with periods in the 8.6-9.1s range – mostly small, crumbly windswell from the NW and WNW. The real problem is the wind: ENE flow dominates (up to 24% of the time), which blows straight onshore for this NNW-facing beach, turning waves into chop. Ideal offshore wind from the south plummets to just 14-17%. Even when the swell is rideable, the onshore winds make it a struggle. Occasional weak southerly wind days can offer windows of cleaner surf, but generally this is a time to explore other breaks or wait for the autumn transition. The North Atlantic storm track retreats, and the Azores high locks in, bringing light but persistent onshore breezes.

May: Fading Swell, Growing Onshores

May continues the spring slide, with average swell dropping to 1.8m and period to 9.8s – now borderline windswell territory. The swell rose shows a broad spread: WNW (18.9%), NW (18.5%), and NNW (15.2%) still account for most of the energy, but the heights are concentrated in the 0.5-1.5m range, meaning small to fun-sized surf. Ideal wind is only 21%, with ENE (20%) still the dominant onshore breeze. The wind rose also shows a stronger NE (11.5%) component, which is cross-offshore for Panton? Actually NE is side-offshore? For NNW-facing, NE (45°) is from the right side, so slightly offshore but with a side component, could be workable. But the main issue is the lack of pure southerly offshore flow (SSW 6%, SW 9.9%). Most days you'll find small, weak waves with onshore texture. Occasional southerly bursts can clean up the swell, but May is generally a low-quality month for consistent surf.