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Sopelana - surf spot statistics
Sopelana seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Atlantic roars to life during these months, with powerful extratropical storms churning up long-period swell that pounds the Basque coast. Average wave heights hover between 1.5m and 2.1m, with periods often exceeding 12s – producing pumping, firing conditions at this NW-facing beach. The dominant swell directions (NW, WNW, NNW) align perfectly with Sopelana's exposure, while the frequency of offshore winds (S, SSW, SW, WSW) peaks around 30-38% of the time, especially in October. This is prime time for clean, powerful surf – the kind that draws the region's most committed crew.
Fair Surf Season (April, May, September)
As the jet stream relaxes, swells become more inconsistent and average height drops to 1.2-1.4m with periods around 10-11s. While the Azores High begins to dominate, occasional cold fronts still bring pulses of WNW-NW swell that can offer fun, rippable waves on a good day. April and May see a mix of small to fun-sized surf, often with lighter winds – though offshore breezes are less frequent (<28-35%). September is a transition month where the first autumn lows begin to stir, making it a sneaky good period for clean, punchy waves before winter sets in.
Low Surf Season (June - August)
Summer settles in and the swell machine shuts down. Average wave heights drop to just 1.0m with periods around 8.8-9.2s, resulting in small, groveling surf at best. The dominant swell remains from the NW quadrant, but waves rarely exceed 1.5m. Offshore wind percentages hover around 27-29%, but the main culprit is the lack of consistent swell energy. This is the season for longboard cruises and foil sessions – not the time to expect pumping waves. When a rogue NW groundswell sneaks in, the conditions can improve temporarily, but it's the quietest period of the year.
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Conditions at Sopelana in March
March: Transitional Firepower
March still packs a punch as winter slowly yields to spring. Average swell height drops slightly to 1.8m with a period of 12.1s – still powerful. NW (40.4%) absolutely dominates the swell rose, followed by WNW (19.7%) and NNW (12.7%). This means plenty of clean, lined-up swell hitting the beach. Offshore wind percentage remains at 31%, with S and SSW winds (each ~7%) being the most reliable. However, the frequency of W and WNW onshore flow (totaling ~20%) can still degrade conditions. March is a prime month for good, solid surf with occasional pumping days when a late-season low-pressure system cranks.
Average Spot conditions at Sopelana in March
Swell history for March
Wind history for March
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Sopelana during March. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Sopelana for your next trip in March.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Sopelana for March. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Sopelana.