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.

October: Autumn Awakening

October is when Penarronda really starts to fire again. Average swell height jumps to 1.3m and period to 11.1s. NW swell dominates at 39.7%, with NNW at 27.9% – both delivering waves in the 1-2.5m range. The wind regime becomes more favorable: SSW (15.5%) and SW (13.1%) offshore flows increase, while onshore NE winds drop. Ideal wind percentage reaches 45%. The combination of developing North Atlantic storms and more frequent southerly winds creates excellent surf conditions. Expect clean, powerful waves as autumn progresses.