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Zambujeira do Mar - surf spot statistics
Zambujeira do Mar seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (December - February)
The heart of the North Atlantic winter delivers its full fury to Zambujeira do Mar during these months. Average swell heights hover around a solid 2.4-2.5m with long periods averaging 12.7-13.1s, meaning consistent powerful groundswell from the NW and WNW dominant corridors. The wind ideal percentage peaks at 46-47%, offering a high chance of light offshore flow from the WSW to WNW quadrants. This is the prime window for pumping, hollow waves on the west-facing beach.
Fair Surf Season (October - November & March - April)
Shoulder months see a gradual build or fade of winter energy. October and November average 1.9-2.2m with 11.5-12.1s periods, while March and April drop to 1.9-2.2m with 11.2-12.4s. Swell direction remains dominated by NW, but the wind ideal percentage falls to 23-43%, making conditions more fickle. You'll still find fun, rippable waves on the cleaner days, but expect occasional onshore chop from NW winds.
Low Surf Season (May - September)
Summer brings a dramatic lull. Average swell heights drop to 1.4-1.6m with periods of 8.4-10.0s, producing mostly small, weak waves. The dominant swell becomes overly NW with a high percentage of NNW wind, and the ideal wind percentage plummets to 9-19%. Most days deliver choppy, groveling conditions with a strong seabreeze effect. Only occasional long-period pulses from distant storms can salvage a session, but it's a quiet period overall.
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Conditions at Zambujeira do Mar in January
January: The Deep Winter Pulse
The North Atlantic roars to life with an average swell height of 2.5m and a period of 13.1s, making January a peak month for powerful groundswell. Swell directions are overwhelmingly from NW (26.3%) and WNW (18.5%), both optimal for this west-facing beach. These long-period waves wrap in with serious punch. Wind ideal percentage stands at 46%, with offshore flow possible from the WSW, W, and WNW quadrants. However, N and NE winds also frequent (combined 30%), which are cross-shore to slightly onshore. When the high pressure sets in over the Bay of Biscay and light ENE breezes prevail, the beach lights up with crisp, hollow lines. Keep an eye on the NAO index — a negative phase tends to steer storms closer to Portugal, delivering even more consistent swell.
Average Spot conditions at Zambujeira do Mar in January
Swell history for January
Wind history for January
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Zambujeira do Mar during January. 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 Zambujeira do Mar for your next trip in January.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Zambujeira do Mar for January. 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 Zambujeira do Mar.