Pico da Mota - surf spot statistics

Pico da Mota in Portugal is a surf spot that benefits from consistent ground swells, particularly during the winter months, making it a reliable destination for experienced surfers. The best conditions occur from October to March, when ground swells dominate (66–91% of the time) and mean swell heights range from 2.1m to 2.7m. December and January stand out as the peak months, offering the largest waves (2.6–2.7m) and the highest likelihood of ground swells (85–91%). However, wind conditions are less favorable during this period, with bad winds (onshore or cross-shore) occurring 73–78% of the time, leaving only 22–27% of days with clean offshore winds. Spring (April–June) and summer (July–September) see a decline in swell quality, with increasing wind swells and smaller waves (1.5–2.1m). May to August are the least ideal, as wind swells become dominant (60–85%) and swell size drops to 1.5–1.7m. Additionally, summer months have the worst wind conditions, with unfavorable winds 82–88% of the time. September marks a transition, with ground swells regaining influence (46%) and slightly improved winds (18% good conditions). If you're looking for a balance between swell size and cleaner winds, October and November offer decent ground swell consistency (66–75%) with marginally better wind odds (23–24%) compared to winter. For surfers prioritizing wave power and consistency, winter is the prime season despite the challenging winds. If smaller, more manageable waves are preferred, late September to early April still provides surfable conditions, with October presenting a sweet spot between decent swell size and slightly improved wind chances. Summer is generally the least reliable for quality surf at this spot.

Pico da Mota in June offers fairly consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.5m and a solid 9.5s period, providing well-formed waves. The dominant swell directions are NW, WNW, and W, with the best conditions occurring in the 1-2m range (33% of the time) and occasional larger sets up to 2.5m (8% of the time). Wind is the main limiting factor—only 14% of days have favorable offshore or light cross-shore winds, predominantly from the NE to SE. The majority of days see stronger northerly or northwesterly winds (10-30kph), which can create chop or onshore slop. While there are rideable waves most days, the best sessions will rely on aligning clean SW swell with rare lighter NNE winds. Expect a mix of mid-sized, workable surf with occasional quality peaks, though wind luck is key.