Sidi R'bat - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October – March)

The North Atlantic engine fires up in October, and Sidi R'bat feels the full force of the winter swell window. Average wave heights hover around 1.7–2.1m with long-period energy (11–13s) from the NW and WNW – the sweet spot for this west-northwest-facing beach. The percentage of ideal offshore wind (from the E through SSE quadrants) is at its annual peak during these months, reaching 51% in December. However, it's not a guaranteed glass-off every day; strong low-pressure systems often drag onshore NW winds across the lineup, especially following a cold front. When the synoptic setup aligns – a deep Atlantic low spinning far to the northwest, a ridge of high pressure building over the Iberian Peninsula, and light easterly flow filtering down the Moroccan coast – Sidi R'bat delivers pumping, long-period groundswell with clean, offshore conditions. That's when the waves here are truly firing.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

These transitional months offer a mixed bag. April sees average swell heights drop to 1.9m and periods shorten to 10.9s, while the wind is only ideal 11% of the time. The dominant swell shifts more NNW, which still wraps in nicely, but the wind becomes a constant battle – the onshore NW-WNW breeze kicks in hard, making conditions choppy unless a rare easterly surge aligns. September marks the slow uptick in swell energy after the summer lull, with average heights of 1.4m and periods of 10.1s. While the number of storm-generated swells increases, the wind remains largely onshore (ideal just 7% of the time). Occasional early-season cold fronts can deliver a clean pulse of WNW swell with light offshore winds, offering short but quality windows. These months require patience and a weather-watching mindset.

Low Surf Season (May – August)

Summer at Sidi R'bat is a frustrating time for surfers seeking quality. The North Atlantic storm track retreats north, leaving the spot dominated by weak, short-period NNW swell generated by the persistent trade winds. Average wave heights drop to 1.4–1.7m, and period values sink below 9s – often in the choppy, weak range. To make matters worse, the onshore regime of NW-WNW winds locks in from late morning through the day, with ideal offshore wind occurring a mere 2–5% of the time. The result is often bumpy, disorganized waves that are better suited for longboards or a day off. The few surfable moments come on early summer mornings before the wind picks up, or during rare pulses of longer-period background swell from a distant hurricane. But for most surfers, this is the season to travel or explore other spots with more reliable summer trade-wind setups.

March: Waning Winter, Still Chunky

March marks the beginning of the transition toward spring, yet Sidi R'bat still receives healthy doses of winter energy. Average swell height holds at 2.1m, but the period ticks down to 12.3s, reflecting fewer deep low-pressure systems. Swell direction remains dominated by NNW (35.2%) and NW (31.3%), with WNW contributing a decent 10% – a sign that more westerly angles sometimes sneak in. The offshore wind percentage drops significantly to 27%, as the trades begin to strengthen and the Azores High starts to pulse. Onshore NW and WNW winds combine for over 35% of the wind distribution, often creating bumpy, choppy conditions in the afternoon. The best time to surf in March is early morning, before the sea breeze kicks in, or during a strong easterly event ahead of an approaching low. Swell quality can be excellent on those clean days, with rippable walls and occasional heavier sets that still hold winter's power.