Playa de Los Caballos - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The heart of the North Atlantic winter delivers the goods to Playa de Los Caballos. As the jet stream strengthens and low-pressure systems deepen, consistent W to NW swells roll in with average heights exceeding 1.5m and periods often pushing into the 10-14s range. This is when the beach's west-facing orientation really shines, with the dominant swell window (WNW to NW) aligning perfectly. Offshore wind conditions from the east occur roughly 40-50% of the time, often during early mornings or under high-pressure ridges, creating clean, peeling lines. November through January are the peak, but October and March offer slightly smaller yet still high-quality surf with lighter winds.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

Transitional months bring a mix of lingering winter swell and the first signs of summer lulls. Average swell heights drop to around 1.3-1.5m and periods shorten to 10-11s, but the dominant NW component still delivers rideable waves. April sees stronger winds from the E-ESE quadrant for more frequent offshore mornings, while September benefits from a higher percentage of ideal wind (nearly 50%). These months are a solid bet for fun, rippable waves without the winter crowds.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer settles in with a noticeable drop in swell energy. Average heights hover around 1.0-1.2m and periods dip into the 8-10s range, making for smaller, punchier waves better suited to grovelling boards. The swell is still predominantly from the NW, but the wind picture is more mixed. Thermal gradients often kick up afternoon onshore breezes from the W-NW, chopping up the surf. However, early mornings with light offshore winds from the E-SE quadrant can still offer clean, fun-sized waves, especially on a WNW swell. This is the time for longboarders and beginners to enjoy the ocean.

January: The Atlantic Awakening

January is the heart of winter, with an average swell height of 2.1m and a powerful average period of 12.9s. The dominant swell direction is NW at 36.2%, closely followed by WNW at 17.5%, meaning the beach is consistently hit by long-period, powerful groundswells. These are the classic 'pumping' days, with waves ranging from 1.5m to over 2.5m. The wind is ideal 46% of the time, primarily when easterly quadrants (E, ESE, SE) blow offshore. However, W and WNW winds, though listed as favorable for this spot, can still bring texture. Look for early morning windows with light E to SE winds under high pressure for the cleanest, most epic conditions.