Praia de Monte Gordo - surf spot statistics

Praia de Monte Gordo in Portugal offers relatively modest surf conditions year-round, making it more suitable for beginners or longboarders rather than advanced surfers seeking powerful waves. The best months for surfing here are typically during the winter season, from December to February, when ground and wind swells combine more frequently, and the mean swell size peaks around 0.7 to 0.8 meters. December stands out with the highest ground swell contribution (20%) and the lowest percentage of no-swell days (38%). Wind conditions are challenging throughout the year, with onshore winds dominating (bad wind conditions exceeding 85% in most months). However, winter months see slightly better offshore wind opportunities (around 13-14%), particularly in December and January. From May to September, surf potential drops significantly, with ground swells nearly absent, dominant no-swell periods, and very poor wind conditions (over 90% unfavorable). Swell size also diminishes to 0.4-0.5 meters in summer, making these months the least ideal. Late autumn (November) and early spring (March) provide transitional conditions, with marginal improvements in swell frequency and size. Overall, Praia de Monte Gordo is most surfable in winter, though consistent high-quality waves are rare due to persistent wind issues and generally small swells. Surfers should temper expectations and prioritize flexibility in timing sessions around occasional favorable swells and wind windows.

In November, Praia de Monte Gordo offers generally small but rideable surf conditions, with an average swell height of 0.7m and a decent period of 7.9s, providing some energy for smoother waves. The swell direction is predominantly from the W (21.52% of the time in the smallest range), WSW, and SW, which can produce workable waves, though they tend to be on the smaller side (0-1.5m range making up the majority). Larger swells (1.5-2.5m) are rare but occasionally come from SW and WSW directions, offering more powerful sessions for experienced surfers. Wind conditions are less than ideal, with only 11% of the time being favorable for surfing. Offshore or light cross-shore winds (E to SE) are infrequent, while stronger onshore winds from W, NW, and NNW are more common, often creating choppy or less clean conditions. Surfers should target early mornings when winds are lighter or wait for those rare clean swell-wind alignments. Overall, November is a mixed month with mostly small surf and variable wind, requiring patience and flexibility for the best sessions.