Conditions at Fence in May
May: First Powerful Groundswell of Winter
May is the month when Fence starts to show its true character. The average swell jumps to 7-8ft (2.2m), the period reaches 12.2s, and the wave rose tilts much harder toward SW. SSW remains the top direction at 27.9%, but SW surges to 21.3% and S contributes another 12.0%; together, the S-to-SW combination represents over 60% of the swell energy. This is serious, long-period groundswell, with much of the distribution in the 5-8ft (1.5-2.5m) range and a growing share above 8ft (2.5m). The wind regime also improves: WSW (17.9%) and W (14.9%) provide strong offshore options, while the E/ENE flow weakens relative to summer. Water temperature is 18.4°C and air averages 18.2°C. With 25% ideal wind, May is one of the most reliable months for a proper winter-style session.
Average Spot conditions at Fence in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Fence 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 Fence for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Fence 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 Fence.