Patos - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life as autumn deepens into winter, delivering consistent, powerful groundswell to Patos. Average swell heights range from 1.3m in October to 1.8m in January, with long periods of 11-13 seconds offering punchy, well-organized waves. The dominant swell directions of WNW, NW, and W align perfectly with the spot's NNW exposure, while offshore winds from the S to SW quadrant blow cleanly over the beach 37-43% of the time. This is prime time for pumping, firing surf, with frequent 1.5-2.5m sets and occasional XL waves when strong Atlantic storms line up. The combination of long-period energy and favorable wind is the recipe for Patos at its best.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

Transition months bring a noticeable drop in average swell height to 1.3m in April and 1.0m in September, with periods averaging 11.0s and 10.5s respectively. Despite the smaller size, the quality remains high when conditions align. WNW and NW swells still dominate, but the frequency of offshore winds decreases to around 30-31%. Clean, rippable waves in the 1-1.5m range are common, and occasional pulses from late-season storms can deliver fun-sized surf. These months are a mixed bag, but patient surfers are rewarded with glassy mornings and manageable crowds.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer settles in with a pronounced lull in swell energy. Average wave heights drop to 0.8-1.0m and periods shorten to 8.7-9.9s, resulting in weaker, more wind-affected conditions. The predominant swell still comes from the NW quadrant, but large percentages of small, choppy surf (<1m) dominate. Offshore wind occurrence plummets to 17-25%, as the prevailing synoptic pattern brings more onshore winds from the N and NW. When a rare summer storm track delivers a pulse of W or SW swell, the offshore S winds can align for brief windows of clean, fun-sized surf. But for the most part, expect groveling conditions—a time for longboards and low expectations.

April: Spring Transition

April sees a distinct drop in average swell height to 1.3m and period to 11.0s. Swell direction is still predominantly from the NW quadrant, with WNW (27.9%), W (19.1%), and NW (18.9%) making up the bulk. However, the energy is less consistent—more days in the 0.5-1m range than earlier months. Offshore wind occurrence slips to 30%, with S and SW winds still possible but often weaker. The surf quality is mixed: long-period pulses from distant storms can deliver fun, rippable waves in the 1-1.5m range, but they are interspersed with small, weak days. The onset of spring often brings more northerly onshore winds, spoiling wave shape. April rewards the patient surfer who can pick the windows between fronts.