Vila Praia de Ancora - surf spot statistics

Vila Praia de Âncora in Portugal is a consistent surf spot with reliable conditions year-round, though the best months for surfers are typically during the autumn and winter seasons. From October to February, the spot benefits from strong ground swells, with the highest percentages (65–92%) of dominant ground swell, ensuring powerful and well-organized waves. The mean swell size during these months is also the most favorable, ranging from 1.9 to 2.6 meters, peaking in January and December. Wind conditions during these months are relatively mixed, with good wind days occurring around 34–36% of the time, meaning offshore or light cross-shore winds are present about one-third of the time—ideal for clean surf. The worst wind conditions (onshore or strong cross-winds) dominate 64–66% of the time, but given the quality of the swells, there are still plenty of rideable days. Spring (March to May) sees a gradual decline in ground swell dominance, shifting toward more wind swell, but with still decent wave heights averaging 1.5–2.1 meters. However, wind conditions worsen, with bad winds increasing to 69–77%. Summer (June to August) is the least consistent period, with small swells (1.2–1.3 meters) dominated by wind swell, making conditions mushy and weak. Good wind days drop to only 18–22%, so summer surf is rare and mostly for beginners or longboarders. September marks the transition back into better conditions, with ground swell becoming more frequent again. For experienced surfers seeking the biggest and cleanest waves, the winter months—especially November through February—are the prime time, while intermediate surfers may find decent sessions in late autumn and early spring.

In May, Vila Praia de Ancora offers decent surfing conditions with an average swell height of 1.5m and a solid period of 10.3s, providing well-formed and powerful waves. The swell predominantly comes from the WNW, NW, and W directions, with the majority of waves falling in the 1-2.5m range, ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. WNW swells account for the highest percentage of rideable waves, particularly in the 1-2.5m range, while SW and WSW swells contribute smaller but still surfable conditions. Wind conditions are favorable for surfing 23% of the time, with lighter winds (below 20kph) most common from the NW, W, and WSW, which typically provide cleaner wave faces. However, stronger northerly and northwesterly winds (20-40kph) can create choppy or cross-shore conditions, decreasing wave quality. Overall, May delivers consistent swell energy with a mix of clean and messy days, making it a solid month for surfing if timed with the right wind windows.