- Home
- ...Africa
South Africa- Outer Kom
Conditions at Outer Kom in May
May: Winter Swells Arrive With High-Percentage Windows
May is one of the best months of the year at Outer Kom, and the numbers back that up. Average swell height climbs to 8.5ft (2.6m), average period sits at 12.4s, and the ideal wind percentage peaks at 19 percent. The swell direction shifts favourably: SW still leads at 25.7 percent, but WSW jumps to 11.9 percent and even W makes its presence felt at 2.1 percent. SSW, meanwhile, drops to 11.8 percent. This is a much better mix for the reef.
Wind-wise, there is still a strong NNW flow (19.1 percent) and NW (10.8 percent) from passing cold fronts, but when the front clears, the SE returns at 17.6 percent and light ESE/SE windows are far more common. Outer Kom will often be solid 8ft (2.4m) plus and clean under a light offshore wind in May, with the occasional heavy 10ft+ (3m+) set. Water temp is 16.6°C, air 16.5°C, and rainfall averages 1.57mm/day; a spring suit is now the norm.
Average Spot conditions at Outer Kom in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Outer Kom 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 Outer Kom for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Outer Kom 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 Outer Kom.