La Jolla • Statistics for May

May: Maximum Period and Offshore Reliability

May delivers the longest average wave period of the year at 14.1s and the highest ideal wind percentage at 65 percent. The swell mix is extremely concentrated: SSW contributes 64.3 percent and S another 27.1 percent. Wave heights average about 4.5ft (1.4m), but the distribution is more spread toward the larger end than earlier months, giving the spot a steady sequence of 4-6ft (1.2-1.8m) lines with some bigger peaks. The long period and consistent S/SSW direction mean the energy wraps well onto the east-facing beach, producing some of the cleanest, most rideable waves of the year.

Wind quality remains excellent compared to the rest of the year, with a high share of light SW, WSW, W and WNW flow. The main caveat is the weather: precipitation increases to 1.65mm/day, and water temperature climbs to 30.0°C with air temperatures averaging 27.7°C. The increasing tropical moisture can bring occasional afternoon downpours, but the surf windows between them are often the best this location has to offer.