Conditions at Yoff Beach in May
May: A Prelude to the Monsoon
May marks a turning point. Average swell height drops to around 5-5.5ft (1.5-1.7m) and the period falls to 9.3s, signaling that the winter storm track is retreating northward. The swell direction is still dominated by the NNW (85.0%), but the energy spectrum shifts down: 33.4% of waves are 3-5ft (1-1.5m), 46.4% are 5-6.5ft (1.5-2m), and only 4.9% exceed 6.5ft (2m). It's become a fun, high-quality but less powerful swell.
Wind-wise, the Harmattan is losing its grip. Although NNW wind still dominates at 59.1%, speeds are weaker, and the southern hemisphere flow starts to make inroads: SW, WSW, and W combined account for over 6.4%, with light airs from the offshore quadrant becoming more common. Ideal wind reaches 9%. Water temperature climbs to 22.4°C, air reaches 22.3°C, and precipitation drops to just 0.09mm/day. It's a shoulder season in the truest sense - more good days than the previous months, but still a far cry from the summer's clean regime.
Average Spot conditions at Yoff Beach in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Yoff Beach 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 Yoff Beach for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Yoff Beach 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 Yoff Beach.