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Conditions at Chicama in May
May: Big Swell and the Trade-Wind Squeeze
May is where the fair season begins. Average swell height maxes out at 1.8m (6ft), and the average period peaks at 13.5 seconds, the longest in the annual cycle. The directional mix becomes more S-heavy, with S swell accounting for 17.6 percent of total energy and SSW at 78.5 percent. Large chunks of that energy fall into the 1.5-2m and 2-2.5m bands, so the raw power is definitely there.
However, ideal wind days drop to 62 percent as the SSE trade wind strengthens. Winds of 20-30kph become common, and the surface can get lumpy outside of dawn patrol. Water temperature slides to 19.3°C, air temperature averages 21.2°C, and rainfall is almost negligible. May rewards early risers with big, long-period waves, but the window for truly clean conditions is narrower.
Average Spot conditions at Chicama in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Chicama 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 Chicama for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Chicama 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 Chicama.