Fistral Beach • Statistics for May

May: Spring Lull

May is where the winter momentum fades into a mellower pattern. The average swell height slips to 1.2m (4ft), periods weaken to 9.3s, and the surf takes on a more windswell character, even though W and WNW directions still account for over half the total wave directions. This is the month of smaller, fun-sized waves: groveling on the inside, with the occasional longer-period pulse when late-season North Atlantic lows develop. Wind is a mixed bag; NNW is the single most frequent direction at 12.6%, which is onshore, but east and SE offshore flow still appears often enough to keep the 24% ideal-surf percentage alive. Air temps climb to 12.0°C and the water reaches 12.0°C, so the first spring rashie or thinner suit days start to arrive. Expect smaller morning waves before the sea breeze kicks up the surface texture.