Penarronda - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic delivers its full fury during these months, with average swell heights ranging from 1.3m to 1.7m and periods consistently above 11 seconds. The combination of powerful NW and NNW swell trains and a high frequency of offshore winds from the S-SSW quadrant creates peak conditions at Penarronda. January, February, November, and December boast ideal wind percentages around 47%, while October and March are not far behind. Expect clean, long-period groundswells that wrap perfectly into the north-facing beach, offering fun, solid waves in the 1-2.5m range. This is prime time for quality surf.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

These transitional months see the jet stream shifting, bringing a mix of fading winter energy and budding summer patterns. Average swell heights drop to 1.3m (April) and 1.1m (September), with periods around 10-10.5s. While still rideable, the consistency is lower. Ideal wind conditions occur about 31% of the time, often from the south, but northerly onshores can ruin the fun. When a late-season storm or early autumn low lines up, you can score pumping waves in the 1.5-2m range with decent period. Worth keeping an eye on the charts.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer settles in, and the surf goes into hibernation. Average swell heights hover between 0.8m and 1.0m, with periods dipping below 9 seconds – often choppy and messy. The prevailing wind regime shifts to onshore northeasterlies, making ideal offshore conditions (south winds) scarce at only 18-27%. Swell is predominantly short-period windswell from the NW-NNW, but the accompanying wind is often from the wrong direction. Expect small, groveling conditions at best. It's a great time for a longboard or a flat spell.

January: The Peak of Winter Power

The North Atlantic is at its most active in January, generating an average swell height of 1.7m with a long period of 12.5s. The dominant swell directions are NW (37.3% of all swell) and NNW (17.4%), both of which are optimal for Penarronda's north-facing orientation. Combined, these directions bring consistent, powerful waves in the 1-2.5m range, with over 7% of the swell exceeding 2m. Ideal offshore winds from the SSW (21.1%) and SW (15.7%) dominate the wind rose, providing clean conditions 47% of the time. When a deep low pressure system spins up in the Norwegian Sea, Penarronda lights up with pumping waves. The few onshore flows from the north are minimal during this month. Expect some of the best surf of the year.