Santa Maria - surf spot statistics

Santa Maria in Cape Verde offers consistent surf conditions year-round, with seasonal variations in swell and wind quality. The best months for surfers are typically from November through March, when ground swell dominates (75% in November, 76% in December) and mean swell sizes peak at 1.6-1.9m. These months bring powerful, clean waves, though wind conditions are less favorable (only 26-41% good wind days). March and April stand out as a sweet spot with a strong ground swell presence (62% and 61%) and improved wind conditions (51% and 53% good wind days), offering a balance between wave quality and rideability. May sees a shift toward wind swell (75%) and still decent wind conditions (49%), making it a transitional month with smaller but surfable waves. June through September are the least ideal, with wind swell dominating (90% in June, 93% in July) and mean sizes dropping to 1.1-1.4m, combined with mostly onshore winds (68-70% bad wind days). October marks the return of better ground swell (60%) but retains inconsistent winds (34% good). For advanced surfers seeking powerful waves, November-February delivers the best swell energy despite challenging winds, while intermediates may prefer March-April for more manageable conditions with cleaner winds. Summer months (June-September) are best avoided unless you're comfortable with small, wind-affected surf.

July at Santa Maria, Cape Verde, offers surfable conditions with an average swell height of 1.2m and a decent period of 8.6s, providing consistent, manageable waves. The swell is predominantly NNE (51.6% of waves between 0.5-1.5m), with smaller contributions from N and NNW, ensuring relatively clean and organized sets. Wind conditions are less ideal, with only 30% of days offering favorable offshore or light cross-shore winds. The most common wind directions are SSW and SW, often blowing at 10-30kph, which can create choppy conditions. However, when lighter winds coincide with the primary NNE swell, surfers can expect fun, chest-high waves with occasional bigger sets. The spot works best for intermediate to advanced riders, as wind interference is frequent but mitigated by the swell’s consistency.