Xivares - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic swings into action as autumn deepens, and Xivares reaps the rewards. From October through March, the average swell height sits comfortably between 1.3m and 1.7m, with wave periods regularly exceeding 11 seconds—often hitting the long-period 12-14s range. This is prime time for groundswell from the NW and NNW quadrants, which wrap directly into this north-facing beach. Critically, the percentage of offshore wind (from S, SSW, SW) peaks during these months, with December leading at 61% ideal conditions. Low-pressure systems tracking across the Atlantic send consistent, powerful swell, while high-pressure setups over the Iberian Peninsula often deliver light southerly breezes—the recipe for clean, rippable waves.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

April and September serve as transitional windows. Average swell heights drop to 1.1-1.3m, and periods shorten to 10-11 seconds, but quality surf is still on the table. The dominant swell angles remain NW and NNW, though the energy is less consistent. Wind patterns become more variable, with ideal offshore conditions occurring roughly 31-33% of the time. April can see late-season winter swells mixed with spring weather, while September benefits from the first stirrings of autumn storms. Conditions are more hit-or-miss, but when the right combination of a solid NW groundswell and a southerly wind aligns, Xivares delivers fun, hollow waves.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer at Xivares is a mellow affair. From May through August, average swell heights hover around 0.8-1.0m, with wave periods dipping into the 8.7-9.8s range—often short-period, weak windswell. The dominant swell direction remains NW and NNW, but the energy is markedly lower, with most waves in the 0.5-1.0m category. Worse still, the percentage of offshore wind plummets to just 15-26%, as the prevailing wind turns onshore from the north and northeast, ruining wave quality. During these months, surfers face small, choppy conditions with occasional grovelers. The best chances come from brief southerly wind shifts or isolated long-period pulses from distant storms, but expect mostly small, fun-sized days at best.

August: Subtle Improvement?

August shows a faint glimmer of improvement over July. Average swell height inches up to 0.9m, and period returns to 9.0s. Swell direction is still overwhelmingly NW (46.0%) and NNW (33.9%), with small waves dominating. The ideal wind percentage rises slightly to 19%, offering a few more offshore windows. Onshore winds from NE (13.0%) and ENE (18.7%) still prevail, but there's a slight uptick in westerly and southwesterly flows. August can produce the occasional fun-sized day if a distant tropical storm or early autumn low sends a pulse of NW groundswell, and winds align. But for the most part, expect small, average conditions requiring a groveler or longboard.