Conditions at Sidi Ifni in May
May: The Trade Wind Wall
By May, the Azores High is building and the North Atlantic storm track is retreating. Average swell is down to around 6ft (1.8m), period drops to 9.5s, and the direction is heavily dominated by NNW at 69%. NW adds another 16%, so the spot still sees plenty of swell, but it is less organised and more affected by local wind than in the winter months.
Ideal wind sits at a lowly 6%, while NNW wind blows 57% of the time and N wind another 12%. This is the classic onshore trade wind pattern for Sidi Ifni. The good news is that the swell heights are not tiny - many waves are in the 1-2m range - and the 9.5s period still keeps them rideable, but expect bumpy, textured surfaces. A dawn patrol in a chance offshore easterly flow is the best bet. Air temperatures rise to 19.3°C, water is 17.5°C, and rainfall is only 0.31mm/day; the season is becoming drier and warmer, even as surf quality fades.
Average Spot conditions at Sidi Ifni in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Sidi Ifni 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 Sidi Ifni for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Sidi Ifni 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 Sidi Ifni.