Playa Grande

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life in October, and for Playa Grande that is the beginning of the most reliable surfing window of the year. As low-pressure systems deepen off the United States East Coast and the Azores High begins to sink, long-period NE and NNE swell becomes increasingly common. Average heights run from 4-5ft (1.2-1.5m) in October to a 5-6ft (1.5-1.8m) peak from December through February, with average periods of 9-9.5s. When the North Atlantic Oscillation index is negative, the mid-latitude storm track dips farther south and these pulses align even better with a north-facing beach like Playa Grande. The main challenge is wind: midwinter E/ESE trade winds blow 20-30kph (12-19mph) a large percentage of the time, so the best surf is tied to cold-front passages and dawn glass. Still, size and power are at their annual maximum, and the N/NE groundswell windows make it worth the patience.