Olende seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (December - April)
Sitting on the southwest-facing coast of Gabon, Olende is a study in contradictions. The swell is remarkably consistent throughout the year, with long-period SSW/SW groundswell arriving in the 11-13 second range, but the wind is what separates the good days from the blown-out ones. The most reliable stretch for quality surf comes from December through April, when the South Atlantic High is less aggressive and the local pressure gradient allows northeast-to-east offshore flow to develop. During these months, ideal wind conditions occur 16 to 24 percent of the time, giving the beach enough clean windows to groom the dominant 2-3ft (0.6-0.9m) SSW swell into punchy, rippable waves. Wave heights are never huge, but the long periods and right direction make every clean window count.
Fair Surf Season (May and November)
May and November are transitional months at Olende. Both months see the ideal wind frequency drop back to around 12 percent as the regional flow shifts between the wet season and the dry-season monsoon. May brings more 3-5ft (1-1.5m) swell, but the strengthening southerly flow starts to put a bump on the face. November is the reverse, with the swell easing slightly as northeast-to-east offshore breezes begin to reappear after months of near-zero windows. These are months for dawn patrols, quick sessions between rain squalls, and a willingness to hunt for the one clean hour before the onshore wind takes over.
Low Surf Season (June - October)
From June through October, Olende becomes a frustrating place for surfers. The South Atlantic High strengthens and drives persistent southerly to southwesterly winds straight into the beach, with ideal offshore wind frequency sitting at 0-1 percent. This is also the season with the largest average swells-around 3ft (0.9m) with more 3-5ft (1-1.5m) waves-but it is largely blown-out, lumpy and messy. The Benguela upwelling cools the water from 29°C down to 24-26°C, and the coast turns dry and windy. The waves are there, but the wind simply will not cooperate, making these the low months for surf quality at Olende.