- Home
- ...Europe
United Kingdom- Bournemouth
Conditions at Bournemouth in May
May: Small Summer Swell and the Sea-Breeze Fight
May is when the Azores High starts flexing, and average swell at Bournemouth slips to 0.8m (2-3ft) with periods dropping to 6.5s. WSW (23.6%) and SW (21.0%) are still the dominant directions, but much of that arrives below 1m, leaving a whole lot of small, short-period mush. The direct SE/SSE/S/SSW quadrant drops to 12.3%, and the offshore wind percentage falls to 14%. SW winds dominate the wind rose at 12.3%, and warm afternoons kick up a cross/onshore sea breeze nearly every day. Air temp averages 11.9°C, water is 11.6°C, and rainfall is at its lowest of the year at 1.65 mm/day. If there is a wave, it is groveller-grade; a longboard is the call.
Average Spot conditions at Bournemouth in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Bournemouth 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 Bournemouth for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Bournemouth 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 Bournemouth.