Arrifana seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (October - March)
The North Atlantic roars to life during autumn and holds its grip through early spring, and Arrifana sits right in the firing line. Between October and March, the average swell height climbs to 1.8-2.4m (6-8ft), with average periods of 11.4-13.1s. Extratropical cyclones marching across the Atlantic pump consistent long-period swell into the Portuguese west coast, and the offshore quadrant - from the NNE through E - blows clean 46-54% of the time. Water temps hold between 15.0 and 18.6C, so the surf is often big, powerful and glassy on the best days. This is the time to plan a trip.
Fair Surf Season (April - May and September)
As the Azores High strengthens, the storm track retreats north and the average wave train loses some of its winter punch. Swell heights ease to 1.5-1.9m (5-6ft) and periods drop to around 9.8-11.1s, producing cleaner but less powerful waves. The wind is ideal only 33-44% of the time, as the afternoon northerly wind machine starts to kick in. Early mornings and post-frontal windows still deliver fun, rippable surf, especially in April, May and September when occasional long-period pulses sneak through.
Low Surf Season (June - August)
Summer on the Algarve coast means small, often wind-affected surf. Average heights sit at 1.4m (4-5ft) and periods bottom out at 8.2-9.0s, with the wave rose dominated by short-period NW and NNW windswell. The wind rose is even more one-sided - strong NNW winds blow a huge percentage of the time, keeping surfaces lumpy and making the small waves hard to ride. Water temperatures reach 17.3-17.9C and the skies are dry, but Arrifana's surf quality drops to its seasonal low. If you chase shape, look for light wind mornings and a pulse of longer-period W/SW swell.