Guarita • Statistics for January

January: Summer Trade-Swell Grind

January at Guarita is a true South Atlantic summer month. The average swell holds at 1.4m (4-5ft) with a modest period of 8.2s, which puts most surf squarely in the average, punchy and rideable category rather than long-period perfection. The waverose is dominated by easterly quadrant energy: E accounts for 25% of the observations, ENE and ESE each roughly 21%, with SE adding another 14% and SSE/S 10% and 6% respectively. This is classic trade-wind and local sea generated swell, not the strong southern hemi groundswell that will arrive later in autumn. The wind field is dominated by NE and ENE trades, which together near 34% of the time, and their constant pressure keeps the surface lumpy and cross-shore for much of the day. With ideal surfing winds only around 35%, you have to pick off the early morning NW/NNW land breeze windows or the occasional frontal wind shift. When the stars align, the E/ESE swell lines can still offer fun, rippable 3-5ft (0.9-1.5m) peaks. Wet suits are not needed: air temps average 22.5°C, water temps are 23.5°C, and afternoon showers are common with 4.84mm/day of precipitation.