Conditions at Praia Azul in May
May: Morning Windows and Fading Groundswell
May sees summer knocking on the door. Average swell heights drop to 5-6ft (1.5-1.7m), periods fall to 9.8s and the long-period winter groundswells become increasingly rare. The swell direction now comes mostly from NW, NNW and WNW, which is still the right side of the compass for the west-facing beach, but the energy lacks the punch of winter. Ideal wind coverage drops to 23%, while NNW winds dominate at 28.5%. This is a classic dawn-patrol month: before the afternoon sea breeze kicks in, a light offshore easterly can clean up a fun, rippable NW swell. Water temperature reaches 15.7°C, air temps are mild at 15.7°C, and the drier weather starts to settle in. It is not pumping, but it is honestly fun on the right morning.
Average Spot conditions at Praia Azul in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Praia Azul 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 Praia Azul for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Praia Azul 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 Praia Azul.