Popoyo - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (April - October)

From mid-spring through mid-autumn, Popoyo fires on all cylinders as the southern hemisphere storms churn out long-period groundswells that march directly into the beach's SSW-facing window. April marks the turning point when the dominant swell direction shifts from the unfavourable north-east to the sweet spot of S through SW. This period sees the highest percentage of offshore wind conditions (up to 40% in October) as the Pacific trade winds relax and light ENE breezes frequently groom the faces. Expect consistent 1–1.5m surf with powerful 12–14s periods – ideal for both intermediate cruising and high-performance ripping.

Fair Surf Season (March & November)

March and November sit squarely in the shoulder seasons, offering a mix of conditions. March still sees a sizeable chunk of ENE swell (32%) but southern hemisphere pulses begin to appear, while November carries the tail end of the southern swell train (SW 17%, SSW 21%) but with a drop in average period to 11.5s. Wind conditions become more transitional: ideal offshore breezes occur 9% of the time in March and 25% in November, but stronger trade wind episodes can still create bumpy textures. Good windows exist but require close forecast monitoring.

Low Surf Season (December - February)

The core winter months are dominated by a powerful north-east trade wind regime that blows directly onshore (ENE wind 60–70% of the time at 20–40kph) and pushes a low-quality, short-period windswell from the NE and ENE. Average wave periods hover around 8–9s, producing choppy, weak surf. Only 4–7% of the time do ideal offshore winds align, and when they do, the swell direction is rarely optimal. Small, clean days are rare and often require a major southerly swell to sneak through – a gamble at best.

July: A Slight Wind Trade-Off

July sees a temporary increase in trade wind intensity. ENE winds jump to 68% of the time, with moderate speeds (20–40kph) more frequent. As a result, the percentage of ideal offshore conditions drops to 17%. The swell is still southern-dominant: SSW (27%) and SW (9%) along with a spread of S and SE directions. Average period remains strong at 12.5s, heights at 1.3m. The quality of the swell itself is excellent, but the wind can be fickle. Early mornings and late afternoons often deliver the best windows when the trades ease. Despite the wind, July still offers plenty of fun, especially when a robust SW pulse lines up with a light breeze.