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Conditions at Playa Grande in May
May: Long-Period South Swells and the Green Season
May brings the strongest southern-hemisphere pulse of the year so far. The average wave period peaks at 14.1s, and the average swell height is 1.4m (around 4.5ft). SSW dominates at 72.9%, with SW adding 15.4% and S contributing 8.7%. There is also a notable leap in size distribution: 14.9% of all swells land in the 1.5-2m range. That means more consistent head-high-plus waves, even if the direction is still on the wrong side of west.
The wind remains favorable 63% of the time, with ENE, E, ESE, and SE breezes providing clean surface conditions, especially in the mornings. The rainy season is now underway; precipitation jumps to 5.91mm/day and water temperature reaches 29.3°C. Expect warm, humid, tropical conditions, occasional torrential afternoon downpours, and surf that still averages 4-5ft (1.2-1.5m). If you score a tide change during a morning glass-off, May can deliver surprisingly good waves at Playa Grande.
Average Spot conditions at Playa Grande in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Playa Grande 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 Grande for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Playa Grande 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 Grande.