Wainui Beach • Statistics for May

May: The Roaring Forties Wake Up

May is arguably the best month of the year at Wainui Beach. Average swell height climbs to 6.5ft (1.9m), the average period stretches to a proper 11.0 seconds, and ideal offshore winds are present 54 percent of the time. Southern Ocean lows are now fully active, generating powerful S/SSE/SSW swells that stack up on the beach. There is also still enough E/ESE/SE energy to keep the mix versatile, with the target E through SSE window holding around 40 percent. This is when the westerly quarter really establishes itself: WNW, NW and NNW combine for around 39 percent of all wind observations, while onshore E/SE/SSE winds shrink to less than 9 percent. Expect plenty of overhead, lined-up surf in the 5-8ft range and a genuine chance of seeing some 8ft+ bombs. Water temperature is 16.8°C and air temps average 12.5°C, so spring suits or a hooded 4/3 are the call. May delivers the full package - size, power, period and clean offshore flow.