Conditions at Contreiras in May
May: Fun-Size and Rippable
May is when winter groundswell begins to fade, but there is still enough energy for quality surf sessions. Average swell height is 1.7m (5.6ft) with an average period of 10.0s, placing it on the boundary between average and powerful. The swell direction remains north-heavy: NNW is the standout at 34.2 percent, with NW at 16.9 percent, NNE at 15.9 percent and N at 12.4 percent. Wave heights are mostly in the 1-2m (3.3-6.6ft) range, making the beach playful and rippable. Wind-wise, the NNE trade machine is strengthening and dominates at 27.6 percent, with NE at 17.2 percent and NNW at 14.3 percent. Still, ideal offshore winds from the SSW-SW-WSW-W quadrant hold at 17 percent, which is enough to keep the hopes alive between pulses. Air temperatures climb to 14.1-21.9°C, water temperature reaches 19.2°C, and precipitation drops to 0.56mm/day. A 3/2 wetsuit works, and a high-performance shortboard is all you need for the punchy, fun-size waves.
Average Spot conditions at Contreiras in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Contreiras 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 Contreiras for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Contreiras 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 Contreiras.