One of the best things about Aljezur is that it works year-round. There's no dead season — just different seasons with different strengths. The question isn't can you surf, it's what kind of surfing you're after.
Here's what every month looks like on the Costa Vicentina.
January & February
Swell: Large and powerful, 6-12ft faces are common. Dominant NW swell with regular W and WNW swells from Atlantic storms.
Water temperature: 14-15°C. You'll want a 4/3mm wetsuit with boots, and gloves on the coldest days.
Wind: Variable, with frequent offshore mornings followed by afternoon onshore. Storms can bring strong winds for days at a time.
Crowds: Minimal. You'll often share a beach with a handful of surfers.
Best for: Advanced surfers who enjoy powerful conditions and empty lineups. The reward for cold mornings is world-class waves with nobody around.
March & April
Swell: Still consistent, 4-8ft, with the occasional larger pulse. The swell starts to mellow compared to deep winter.
Water temperature: 15-16°C. A 4/3mm wetsuit is still comfortable. Boots optional by late April.
Wind: More frequent offshore mornings as the Nortada (north wind) pattern begins to establish.
Crowds: Low. Spring is an underrated window — good surf, warming weather, and few visitors.
Best for: Intermediate surfers looking to push their limits in solid conditions without the summer crowds. Also excellent for advanced surfers who prefer slightly smaller, cleaner waves.
May & June
Swell: Transitioning to summer patterns, 3-6ft. Still regular, but less powerful. More consistent direction (NW to WNW).
Water temperature: 16-18°C. You can switch to a 3/2mm wetsuit by late May.
Wind: The Nortada is established. Mornings are typically glassy or light offshore, with sea breezes building in the afternoon. Dawn and dusk sessions are ideal.
Crowds: Building through June as summer tourism picks up. Still manageable, especially on weekdays.
Best for: All levels. The conditions are forgiving enough for beginners, varied enough for intermediates, and consistent enough to keep advanced surfers engaged. This is when we'd recommend a first surf trip to Aljezur.
July & August
Swell: Smaller and more consistent, 2-4ft. Predominantly NW swell. Some flat spells possible.
Water temperature: 19-21°C. A 3/2mm wetsuit or even a spring suit on the warmest days.
Wind: Strong Nortada in the afternoon. Dawn patrol (6-8am) and evening sessions (after 6pm) are essential to avoid the onshore.
Crowds: Peak season. Arrifana and Monte Clérigo get busy, especially on weekends. Vale Figueiras and Amoreira stay quieter.
Best for: Beginners — the waves are mellow, the water is warm, and conditions are predictable. Intermediates can still find fun waves with smart timing (early morning, sheltered spots).
We provide the right wetsuit for your dates automatically — whether that's a thin 3/2mm for August or a full 4/3mm for January. See our gear options.
September & October
Swell: This is it — the sweet spot. Swell builds from 4-8ft as autumn Atlantic storms fire up. Clean, powerful, and consistent.
Water temperature: 18-20°C in September, dropping to 16-17°C by late October. A 3/2mm is fine for September; transition to 4/3mm in October.
Wind: The Nortada weakens, replaced by lighter, more variable winds. Offshore mornings become frequent and glorious.
Crowds: Thinning rapidly. September still has some summer visitors; by October, it's mostly surfers.
Best for: This is the golden window for intermediate and advanced surfers. Warm water, building swell, offshore winds, and empty beaches. If you can only come once, come in September or October.
November & December
Swell: Powerful and frequent, 6-10ft. The first proper winter swells arrive. NW and W swell from Atlantic low-pressure systems.
Water temperature: 16-15°C and dropping. Full 4/3mm wetsuit, boots from late November.
Wind: More storm activity means more variable wind. But the calm days between storms produce some of the best sessions of the year.
Crowds: Very low. The area returns to its quiet, local character.
Best for: Experienced surfers. November is particularly good — the swell is big but the water hasn't fully cooled yet. The Aljezur Sweet Potato Festival (late November) is also worth timing your trip around.
Quick reference table
| Month | Swell | Water temp | Wetsuit | Crowds | Best level | |-------|-------|-----------|---------|--------|------------| | Jan-Feb | 6-12ft | 14-15°C | 4/3 + boots | Empty | Advanced | | Mar-Apr | 4-8ft | 15-16°C | 4/3 | Low | Intermediate+ | | May-Jun | 3-6ft | 16-18°C | 3/2 | Moderate | All levels | | Jul-Aug | 2-4ft | 19-21°C | 3/2 / spring | Busy | Beginner | | Sep-Oct | 4-8ft | 17-20°C | 3/2 to 4/3 | Low | Intermediate+ | | Nov-Dec | 6-10ft | 15-16°C | 4/3 + boots | Empty | Advanced |
Whatever month you're planning, we'll have the right gear waiting at your door. Tell us your dates and we'll handle the rest.