Praia das Bicas - surf spot statistics

Praia das Bicas in Portugal is a spot that works best during the winter months, when the Atlantic swell is most active and consistent. The prime season runs from November to March, with December and January standing out as the peak months. During this period, ground swell dominates (85-92%), offering powerful, well-organized waves averaging 1.9-2.2 meters, ideal for experienced surfers. Wind conditions, however, are less favorable, with only 28-33% of days having good offshore winds, meaning surfers may frequently contend with onshore winds. The shoulder months of October and April still see decent ground swell activity (65%) and slightly improved wind percentages (29% and 21%, respectively), making them solid alternatives for those seeking slightly less crowded sessions. From May through September, the swell transitions to mostly wind-driven, becoming smaller (1.1-1.4 meters) and less reliable, while wind conditions remain predominantly poor (82-86% bad winds). Summer is generally the weakest season, with July and August being the least consistent. If you're looking for the best balance of size, consistency, and manageable winds, late autumn to early winter (October-December) provides the best window, though winter proper (December-February) delivers the biggest and most powerful waves if you don’t mind less predictable winds.

November at Praia das Bicas offers solid surf conditions with a dominant swell from the WNW, NW, and WSW directions, providing consistent wave energy. The average swell height is 1.9m with a strong 12.0s period, indicating well-organized, powerful waves—ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. The swell distribution shows that waves in the 1.5-2.5m range are frequent (over 25% of the time), with larger sets reaching up to 2.5m+ on occasion. The prime swell directions (WNW, NW, and WSW) align well with the beach’s setup, producing quality rides. Wind conditions are a limiting factor, however, with only 28% of days offering clean, offshore or light cross-shore winds (typically from E to SE). The predominant winds are northerly to northwesterly, often blowing in the 10-30kph range, which can create choppy or semi-choppy conditions. When the wind cooperates, the spot fires with groomed, powerful walls, but surfers should monitor forecasts closely for those cleaner windows. Overall, November delivers solid surf here, though patience for favorable wind alignment is key.