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Conditions at Playa Carmen in May
May: Bigger South Swell, Shifting Winds
May arrives with the first real taste of southern winter. The average surf height is 4-5ft (1.4m), the average period is 14.2s, and SSW swell accounts for 89.9% of direction distribution, with SW adding 9.2%. There is now a significant share of 5-6.5ft (1.5-2m) surf at nearly 30% of the time, plus a few 6.5-8ft (2-2.5m) sets. This is proper groundswell energy, but the equator-side weather machine is switching on.
The ideal offshore wind percentage falls to 38% as the trade wind weakens. The dominant wind directions shift away from NNE to a more easterly, southeasterly, and southerly regime: S 9.9%, SSW 9.5%, SSE 8.6%, and SE 8.5%. This means more lumpy, onshore texture on the surface, and daily rainfall jumps to 7.89 mm/day. Air temps remain warm at 28.1°C and water temperature is 29.6°C. When the wind goes light, the bigger SSW swells can be fantastic; otherwise expect a battle with bump.
Average Spot conditions at Playa Carmen in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Playa Carmen during May. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Playa Carmen for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Playa Carmen for May. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Playa Carmen.