Conditions at Barley Cove in May
May: Small but Groomed Shoulder Surf
May delivers the first real long-range grins. Average swell is 5.6ft (1.7m), period is 9.6s, and ideal wind is 28 percent. The direct south-quadrant swell share peaks at around 13 percent, with SSW and S now the most important directions for Barley Cove. Westerly groundswell is still present, but it is less dominant, and the onset of summer high pressure brings longer calmer spells. Wind data again show NNW and NW as reliable offshore players, while the mix of directions is more spread out than in winter. The downside is period: 9.6s average means most surf is punchy rather than powerful; on the better days it is fun, solid and rippable in the 1-1.5m (3-5ft) range, with occasional 2m (6ft) sets. Water temperature rises to 11.7°C, air has touched 20°C, and rainfall is the lowest of the year so far at 2.90 mm/day - good reason to start unpacking the spring and summer quiver.
Average Spot conditions at Barley Cove in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Barley Cove 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 Barley Cove for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Barley Cove 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 Barley Cove.