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Pico da Mota - surf spot statistics
Pico da Mota seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Atlantic roars to life during these months as powerful extratropical cyclones barrel across the mid-latitudes, sending consistent, long-period groundswells towards Portugal’s west coast. Average swell heights range from 2.1m to 2.8m with periods frequently exceeding 12 seconds, producing pumping to XL conditions at Pico da Mota. The beach’s NW exposure captures the dominant NW and WNW swell trains perfectly. Offshore wind frequencies climb to 22-31%, often delivered by southerly airflow ahead of advancing cold fronts. These are the months to score clean, heavy waves with plenty of punch.
Fair Surf Season (April & September)
Transitional months bracket the summer lull. April still sees solid NW swell (avg 2.1m, period 11.2s) but wind patterns become less reliable, with offshore wind only 16% of the time. September reawakens with a slight uptick in swell (1.7m, 10.5s) and more offshore windows (14%). These months offer a mix of fun-sized surf and occasional groundswell bursts, though consistency takes a backseat to the peak season.
Low Surf Season (May - August)
The Azores High strengthens, deflecting storm tracks northward. As a result, swell heights drop to 1.5-1.8m, periods shorten to 8.6-9.9s, and the dominant NNW swell becomes windswell or short-period background energy. Offshore wind plummets to 4-13%, as the prevailing northerly and northwesterly winds blow directly onshore, ruining surface conditions. This is the time for smaller boards and groveling, but be ready to sit out long flat spells. The rare long-period pulse from a distant hurricane or cut-off low can still deliver a gem.
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Conditions at Pico da Mota in November
November: Big Swell Consistency
November delivers an average 2.5m swell at 12.1s, with offshore wind 26% of the time. Swell from the NW (20.6%), NNW (15.9%), and WNW (13.5%) are the primary sources, producing frequent waves over 1.5m and plenty of 2-2.5m sets. The wind rose shows a more balanced distribution: N wind (14.7%) is less dominant than in summer while southerly winds (S, SSW, SW, WSW) total about 20.6%. This means more clean windows. The storm track is fully active, generating powerful groundswells that wrap into the beach. Expect hollow, powerful waves with long-period spacing. November can often deliver the biggest swell events of the year alongside classic Portugese offshore conditions.
Average Spot conditions at Pico da Mota in November
Swell history for November
Wind history for November
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Pico da Mota during November. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Pico da Mota for your next trip in November.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Pico da Mota for November. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Pico da Mota.