Les Sables d'Or seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Atlantic roars back to life in late October, and Les Sables d'Or quickly re-enters prime-time mode. Climatologically, this is when the polar front jet stream strengthens and the mid-latitude storm track across the North Atlantic becomes more organized, sending consistent pulses of west-northwest and northwest groundswell into this west-northwest-facing beach. From October through March, average swell heights sit between 4ft and 6ft (1.2-1.8m) and average periods stay in the 11-13s range, giving the bay real power. More importantly, the offshore wind share (E, ESE, SE and SSE) reaches its annual peak in December at 49 percent and stays high through January and February, creating clean, groomed waves more often. This is the heart of the season: heavy Atlantic lows, long swells and glassy mornings between fronts.
Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)
Spring and early autumn are transitional and a little more inconsistent. The storm track lifts north in April and May, while September sits on the other side of the summer lull as the first autumn lows begin to stir. Swell heights average 1.0-1.2m (3-4ft) with periods of 10-11s, providing rideable but less powerful waves. The offshore wind share drops to 23-29 percent, and onshore north-westerlies become more frequent. These are the months to hunt out the smaller, cleaner windows between low-pressure systems - still plenty of fun for a log or a high-performance shortboard, but you have to pick your days.
Low Surf Season (June - August)
Summer brings the Azores High, which settles in over the eastern Atlantic and deflects the real storm track north towards Iceland and Scandinavia. Les Sables d'Or is left with small NW windswell, with average heights bottoming out at 0.9m (3ft) and average periods of only 9.0-9.4s. The offshore wind share collapses to 16-19 percent, while the prevailing W, WNW, NW and NNW winds blow straight onshore, chopping up an already weak swell. Sea temperatures climb to 21-22.5°C, but this is the doldrums. If you're here in summer, bring a foamie and a patient attitude - the real surf doesn't start until October.