Tarrafal de Monte Trigo
Tarrafal de Monte Trigo is a remote fishing village on Santo Antão Island accessible only by boat or a long hike. The remoteness means you'll likely surf alone, with powerful waves breaking on volcanic rock. The NE trade winds blow offshore here, creating excellent conditions when swells arrive.
Tarrafal de Monte Trigo surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Direction range
- 280° - 350°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 2m
Water temp
23°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: N and S exposure, dead offshore in NE trades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Tarrafal de Monte Trigo?
Tarrafal de Monte Trigo is a beach break in Santo Antão, Cape Verde, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Tarrafal de Monte Trigo?
Tarrafal de Monte Trigo picks up swell from the W round to the N, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.9 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Tarrafal de Monte Trigo?
An E wind is dead offshore at Tarrafal de Monte Trigo, and anything from the ENE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Tarrafal de Monte Trigo?
Tarrafal de Monte Trigo is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Tarrafal de Monte Trigo?
The most reliable run of swell at Tarrafal de Monte Trigo comes Oct to Mar. There's a second window in Apr and Sep too. Winter NW swells. N and S exposure, dead offshore in NE trades.
How cold is the water at Tarrafal de Monte Trigo?
The water at Tarrafal de Monte Trigo averages around 23°C, so you'll want a springsuit or 2mm. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Tarrafal de Monte Trigo good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). N and S exposure, dead offshore in NE trades.
How do I get to Tarrafal de Monte Trigo?
The nearest airport on our list is VXE, then it's roughly a 3-hour drive. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $50 USD, but confirm with an operator). N and S exposure, dead offshore in NE trades.
What other surf spots are near Tarrafal de Monte Trigo?
The closest breaks we track are São Pedro (46 km), handy when Tarrafal de Monte Trigo isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, Sep
Winter NW swells. N and S exposure, dead offshore in NE trades.