Conditions at Pipeline in May
May: Trade Season Takes Hold
May brings the first full month of summer-style trade conditions. Average surf height is 5.9ft (1.8m) with an average period of only 9.2s - a classic windswell signal. ENE swell dominates at 32.9%, with E and NE adding another 20.3% and 17.9%, while N and NNW combine for just 10.3%. The east trades are relentless, blowing from ENE and E 73.9% of the time, leaving only a 20% window for ideal offshore winds. Surf is rideable but sectiony, and Pipeline's famous barrel becomes much harder to find. Warmer air and water move in at 24.3°C and 24.9°C, with just 1.23mm/day of rainfall.
Average Spot conditions at Pipeline in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Pipeline 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 Pipeline for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Pipeline 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 Pipeline.