Conditions at Playa de La Concha in May
May: Approaching the Summer Slump
May is the gateway to the low season. Average swell height drops to 4ft (1.2m) and the average period backs off to 9.9s, so the ocean starts favoring shorter-period, locally generated swell over true Atlantic groundswell. The direction is still almost perfect - NW and WNW combine for nearly 79% of the wave energy and NNW another 13% - but the size and period are just not there on a regular basis. Offshore wind frequency falls to 30%, while NW/NNW winds become more frequent and often create bumpy, onshore conditions.
As the Azores High builds northward, the northern Atlantic storm track quietens and the fetch zones move away from the Bay of Biscay. That means smaller 2-4ft (0.6-1.2m) surf, often with a crumbly texture on the banks. The positive side is the weather: average air temp is 15.1°C, water temp is 16.1°C, and you can finally leave the winter boots at home. If a late-season low sends a long-period NW swell and the wind turns SW, May can still deliver surprisingly fun sessions - but you have to be ready to hunt.
Average Spot conditions at Playa de La Concha in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Playa de La Concha 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 Playa de La Concha for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Playa de La Concha 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 Playa de La Concha.