Conditions at Popov Island in May
May: Wave Trains Are There, But Wind Is the Enemy
May continues the spring pattern: S swell makes up a huge 42% of observations, with SSW another 22%, great directions for the beach. But the average height stays at 0.6m (2ft) and the period at 5.6s, so most of it is sub-1m food for longboarders and grovelers. The onshore flow strengthens as the summer monsoon gets going: SSE (20%), S (15%), and SE (14%) winds dominate, leaving only 12% ideal wind. That is a recipe for bumpy, blown-out conditions even when the swell direction is right.
The atmosphere is warmer, with air temps averaging 10.1°C, and the water has warmed to 8.7°C. Precipitation jumps to 2.68mm/day, signaling cloudier and more unsettled weather. Surfing is possible on a small-wave board, but be prepared to fight the wind.
Average Spot conditions at Popov Island in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Popov Island 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 Popov Island for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Popov Island 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 Popov Island.