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Conditions at Playa Jaco in May
May: When Swell Peak and Wind Quality Diverge
May is a month of large, powerful South Pacific swell and deteriorating wind. The average height climbs to 1.3m at 14.1s, and the SSW direction remains dominant at 94%. Nearly 69% of the surf is in the 3-5ft (1-1.5m) range, with 19% in the 5-6.5ft (1.5-2m) range and a hint of 6-8ft (2-2.5m) groundswell. The Intertropical Convergence Zone is now pushing north, and with it comes a sharp increase in SE and S winds. Ideal offshore wind drops to just 24%, and the S/SSW/SW onshore quadrant is well represented in the daily sea breeze. Rain ramps up dramatically to 7.83 mm/day, air temperatures average 27°C (23-33°C), and water temperature remains a warm 29.5°C. The swell is real, but you have to pick your windows carefully.
Average Spot conditions at Playa Jaco in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Playa Jaco 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 Jaco for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Playa Jaco 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 Jaco.