Conditions at Popoyo in May
May: The Southwest Groundswell Machine Turns On
May is where Popoyo starts to shine. The swell rose is transformed: SSW comes in at 44 percent and SW at 22 percent, with another 9 percent from the S and WSW windows, meaning nearly 75 percent of all swell arrives from the optimal direction. The average period climbs to a solid 13.7s, so the waves are powerful, lined-up, and far more consistent than anything in the previous four months. Average heights sit at a fun 3-4ft (0.9-1.2m), with plenty of head-high to slightly overhead sets on the better pulses.
Trade winds are still present but less oppressive, with ENE at 41 percent, E at 25 percent, and NE at 7 percent. The ideal surfing score improves to 30 percent, giving Popoyo regular morning glass and offshore windows. This is also when the rainy season begins: precipitation jumps to 5.16 mm/day, air temps sit near 29.0°C, and water temp reaches 29.0°C. Expect warm, humid days and the first serious south swell of the year.
Average Spot conditions at Popoyo in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Popoyo 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 Popoyo for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Popoyo 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 Popoyo.