Zurriola - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The heart of the North Atlantic storm track delivers consistent, powerful swell to this northwest-facing beach. From October through March, average swell heights hover between 1.6m and 2.1m with long periods (11-13s), providing punchy, rippable waves on the best days. The dominant swell directions are NW, WNW, and NNW—all squarely in the window for Zurriola. Wind percentages are at their annual peak, with offshore flow from the S and SSW quadrant blowing 40-46% of the time. Frontal passages and deep low-pressure systems spinning out of the Labrador Sea generate solid groundswell trains that wrap into the bay. When the timing aligns with light offshore winds and clearing skies, you get firing, glassy conditions.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

These shoulder months see a noticeable drop in average swell energy—April sits at 1.5m / 10.8s, September at 1.3m / 10.4s—but still offer decent, fun-sized waves. The North Atlantic begins to transition: spring low-pressure systems are less frequent, and autumn highs start to build. Ideal wind frequency falls to around 32%, meaning you'll need to pick your windows carefully. NW and WNW swells still dominate, but wave heights are smaller and more variable. Surfable conditions occur on days when a late-season storm or early-autumn cold front tracks favorably, bringing a clean, long-period swell that coincides with a southerly breeze. Those are the moments when the lineup comes alive without the heavy crowds.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer settles in and Zurriola's swell engine goes into low gear. Average heights drop to 1.0-1.2m with periods around 8-9s, yielding mostly weak, short-period swell that struggles to push above chest-high. The wind picture also worsens: ideal offshore wind percentages plummet to 18-29%. NW and WNW swells still occur but are dominated by short-period windswell rather than groundswell. Frequent onshore north-northwesterly wind (bad, riffles the surface) and strong sea breezes combine to create choppy, messy conditions more often than not. Small surf but still rideable on days when a weak low passes or a thermal low pumps in a light southerly breeze. Expect groveling conditions on shortboards or longboards – definitely not the time for epic pits. Local summer cyclones (medicanes) are rare but can throw a wildcard swell into the mix.

April: Spring Lull Before Summer

April marks a significant step down in power. Average swell height falls to 1.5m and period shortens to 10.8s, signaling the transition out of the active winter season. NW swells still account for 39.3% of the energy, with a further 29.2% from WNW, but the wave heights skew smaller: 20-30% of waves are in the 0.5-1m range. The percentage of ideal wind drops to 32%. Southerly winds still show up (8.4% S, 4.9% SSW), but onshore N-NW wind starts to become more frequent (combined N+NW+NNW around 25%). April is a month of unstable spring lows that produce cold-front passages, leading to a brief pulse of NW groundswell. Those pulses are rideable and can reach chest to head-high with good period after a front clears. The direction remains favorable, so if you're willing to check the forecast daily, you can snag some decent sessions before the summer slump sets in. Just don't expect winter consistency.