Conditions at Manly in May
May: Southern Ocean Swell vs. Onshore Wind
May marks the real start of the low season. Wave height remains useful at 5-6ft (1.7m), and the average period is the longest of the year at 9.7s, with SSE and S swells dominating and SSW/SW energy beginning to appear. That is promising for Manly in theory, but ideal wind collapses to just 25%. The wind rose is now loaded with SSW, WSW and W directions - all of which put an onshore or cross-onshore chop on the surface. The result is frustrating: there is more groundswell power in the water, but conditions are often messy and blown-out. Air temperatures cool to 17°C and water drops to 21°C, so a wetsuit becomes necessary. Pick the rare offshore morning with a pulse of S/SW groundswell; otherwise May is about waiting for the next cold front to clear.
Average Spot conditions at Manly in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Manly 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 Manly for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Manly 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 Manly.