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Conditions at Coffee Bay in May
May: Winter Ignites and the Offshore Window Opens
May is the official arrival of the best season. Average period surges to 11.2s, a clear sign that the first strong fronts of winter are rolling under the continent. The average swell height is 2.0m (6.5ft), but the story is in the period and wind: the offshore wind window opens to a massive 41%. The S (19.9%) and SSW (17%) contribution grows, while E (10.1%), ESE (8.8%), SE (9.7%), and SSE (11.7%) provide the direct, lined-up waves the bay is built for. The long-period Southern Ocean groundswell wraps into the east-southeast-facing bay with real momentum, and the frequent W/NW flow groomed by passing highs means far more sessions at Coffee Bay are clean and organized. Air temps cool to 21.1°C, water remains a manageable 22.6°C, and rainfall drops dramatically to just over 1 mm/day. If you're planning a surf trip, this is the month when the stars start aligning.
Average Spot conditions at Coffee Bay in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Coffee Bay 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 Coffee Bay for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Coffee Bay 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 Coffee Bay.