Lagos seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (October - March)
For surfers, Lagos wakes up when the North Atlantic storm track starts firing again. October through March is the money window: average surf heights sit in the solid 3-5ft (0.9-1.5m) zone while average periods climb into the 11-13s range, meaning real long-period groundswell. The beach faces southeast, so the optimal swell energy from the SSW, SW and WSW compass points wraps into the bay more consistently, while N, NW and NNW offshore winds groom the faces. This is also the wettest half of the year, and some of the strongest wind events can turn onshore, so patience and a keen eye on the forecast are key. When the NAO index swings negative, the jet stream dips south toward Iberia and the S/SW swell window opens even wider - exactly what Lagos needs to turn on.
Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)
The shoulder seasons trade a little size for cleaner conditions. April and May see average swell heights ease to around 3-3.5ft (0.9-1.1m) with periods dropping to 9.6-10.8s, but offshore north winds still dominate and frequently deliver clean, playful waves. September is the better bet of this bunch: the ocean is still holding summer warmth, the first long-period pulses of autumn begin to arrive, and the percentage of ideal wind conditions hits its annual maximum of 39%.
Low Surf Season (June - August)
As the Azores High builds and the North Atlantic storm track retreats, surf sizes bottom out across the Algarve. June through August averages only 2-3ft (0.6-0.9m) of mostly short-period NW windswell, with average periods around 8-9s. For a southeast-facing spot like Lagos, this is too small and too north to properly light up the banks. Strong N/NW offshore winds can keep the surface clean, but the lack of south in the swell means you will be hunting hard for anything rippable. Grab a longboard and enjoy the beach days; the real waves are still a few months away.