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.

In May, Playa Mar Verde offers generally small but rideable surf conditions, with an average swell height of 0.6m and a period of 6.9s, indicating weak but somewhat organized energy. The majority of swells come from the SE to SSE directions (24-19% in the 0.5-1m range), occasionally producing slightly larger waves (1-1.5m, ~4% SSE). However, wave quality is limited due to the prevalence of smaller swells (over 50% of waves are below 1m). Wind conditions are mixed, with only 26% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds (mostly ENE to ESE). Stronger onshore winds (SE to SSE, 10-20kph) occur frequently (~20% of the time), which can degrade wave quality. Overall, May is inconsistent for surfers—expect mostly knee-high waves with rare chest-high sets and a moderate chance of clean conditions. Advanced riders may find short, playful rides when winds align, but it’s not a prime month for quality surf.