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.

May: Lull Season Begins

May marks a significant downturn in wave energy. Average swell height drops to 1.0m and period to 9.9s. The dominant swell directions remain WNW (26.2%), NW (19.9%), and W (17.8%), but most of the energy is in the smaller range (0.5-1m and 1-1.5m). Offshore wind frequency falls to just 25%, with more frequent onshore N and NNE winds. The waves become weaker and less organized; many days are marginal for shortboards. Groveling with a groveler or stepping up to a longboard is the norm. Still, occasional pulses from late-season storms can produce fun, 1-1.5m waves if the wind veers S. May is a month for low expectations and making the most of small waves.