Conditions at Spiders in May
May: Smaller, Quieter, Less Consistent
May marks the real slide into the off-season. Average surf heights have eased to 6ft (1.8m), and wave period drops to 9.4s - enough for fun, pushy waves, but no longer the heavy, long-period Atlantic groundswell of winter. The swell direction is starkly one-dimensional: a colossal 62.9 percent arrives from the NNW, with only 19.3 percent from NW and a tiny 3.5 percent from WNW. This WSW-facing spot is now relying on short-interval northerly pulses and a lot of local windswell. Wind quality drops to 30 percent ideal because the established trade wind pattern from the NNW/NW blows most afternoons. Water temp is still a cool 17.4C while air temps climb to 22C, but if you are chasing epic waves, you are better off waiting for the autumn transition.
Average Spot conditions at Spiders in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Spiders 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 Spiders for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Spiders 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 Spiders.