Playa Mar Verde - surf spot statistics

Playa Mar Verde in Cuba is primarily a windswell-driven spot, with minimal ground swell influence throughout the year. The best months for surfers are generally June and July, when windswell frequency peaks at around 84-85%, swell size averages 0.7m, and favorable wind conditions occur roughly 35-40% of the time. Though these months still see a majority of onshore winds (bad conditions at 60-65%), they offer the most consistent surfable waves. The rest of the year is more inconsistent, with windswell frequencies dropping significantly from September to November (37-46%) and no-swell days becoming dominant (55-62% in October). Swell size rarely exceeds 0.6m, and unfavorable winds prevail, particularly in autumn (September-November), where bad wind conditions reach 74-83%. Winter months (December-February) see a slight uptick in windswell (61-65%) but remain hampered by poor wind conditions (69-71%). Spring and early summer (March-May) are transitional, with windswell hovering around 51-57% and bad winds persisting. For surfers, the narrow window from June to July provides the best balance of swell consistency and occasional clean conditions, though even then, winds are often less than ideal. Outside these months, the spot becomes highly unreliable for quality surfing due to lack of swell and persistent onshore winds.

February at Playa Mar Verde offers small to occasionally mid-sized surf with an average swell height of 0.6m and a decent period of 7.1s, providing some energy for playful waves. The swell direction is predominantly from the SE to SSE (highest frequency between 0.5-1m), which aligns well with the beach’s orientation, though waves rarely exceed 1.5m. Wind conditions are crucial here: only 29% of the time are they ideal (light offshores or sideshores), primarily when winds come from the NE to E (10-20kph range). However, the NE quadrant also brings stronger winds (20-30kph) that can make conditions choppy. Expect mostly small, mellow waves with occasional waist-high+ sets—best suited for beginners or longboarders, though shortboarders may find rare punchier days when SE swells combine with favorable winds. Windswell from the E/ESE can occasionally mix in, but consistency is limited. Patience and timing are key.