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Conditions at Playa Cambutal in May
May: South Pacific Power Arrives as the Trades Fade
May signals a genuine change. The average swell height climbs to 1.4m (4.6ft) and the period peaks at 14.2s, the longest of the year. SSW and SW swells combine for over 98% of all wave energy, with a substantial 22.7% of SSW observations reaching 1.5-2m (5-6.5ft) and another 4% pushing 2-2.5m (6.5-8ft). This is real South Pacific winter swell, and when it connects with Cambutal, the beach has plenty of power. The catch is wind. The offshore trades break down, and onshore W, WSW and SW directions jump to over 40% of the wind distribution. Ideal surf wind drops to 43%, meaning sessions are there but you need to work the early morning, the protected corners, or the recharge days between squalls.
Rainfall increases sharply to 8.42mm/day, and water temperature climbs to 28.2°C. Expect more humid, tropical conditions and a surf that is consistently bigger but less frequently glassy.
Average Spot conditions at Playa Cambutal in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Playa Cambutal 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 Playa Cambutal for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Playa Cambutal 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 Playa Cambutal.