Salgueiros - surf spot statistics

Salgueiros in Portugal is a consistent surf spot with varying conditions throughout the year, offering different experiences depending on the season. The best months for surfing here are typically from October through February, when ground swells dominate, averaging between 1.5m and 1.8m in height. During this period, ground swell occurrence is highest, peaking at 89% in January, ensuring powerful and clean waves. Wind conditions improve in these months, with good wind days rising to around 38-43%, though onshore winds remain a factor, especially in December and January. The winter swell is well-organized, making it ideal for experienced surfers seeking stronger waves. From March onwards, the swell quality begins to decline, with ground swells decreasing and wind swells becoming more prevalent, particularly from May to August. Summer months (June-August) see the weakest conditions, with mean swell sizes dropping below 1m and wind swells dominating, often accompanied by higher proportions of bad wind conditions (78-83%). While surfable waves still occur, they tend to be smaller and less consistent, better suited for beginners or longboarders. September marks the transition back to better conditions, with ground swells increasing again by October. While wind conditions in autumn are not as clean as in winter, the improving swell size and direction make late autumn a solid option for surfers looking to avoid the biggest winter crowds. Overall, Salgueiros delivers the most reliable surf during the winter months, but shoulder seasons like late fall and early spring can still provide good sessions with fewer people in the water.

In December, Salgueiros offers solid surf conditions with an average swell height of 1.6m and a strong 12.7s period, indicating well-spaced, powerful waves. The predominant swell direction is from the W to WNW, which aligns well with the beach’s orientation, producing clean, rideable waves. About 42% of the time, winds are favorable (typically light to moderate from NE to ESE), ensuring clean faces, particularly during offshore or cross-shore conditions. However, stronger W or WSW winds (occasionally gusting 20-30kph) can create chop. Swell distribution shows a good mix of sizes—most waves fall in the 0.5-2.5m range, with W swells (12-20% occurrence in the 1-2.5m range) being the most consistent. Larger sets (2.5m+) are rarer but possible, especially on WNW swells. Overall, December delivers reliable surf with a mix of intermediate to advanced waves, best on days when winds stay light from the NE quadrant.