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Conditions at Spessard Holland in May
May: Small and Windswell-Dominated
May is where summer's grip begins. Average wave height drops to 2ft (0.7m), period to 7.9s, and the wave energy shifts firmly into E/ENE direction: E holds a massive 38% of all swell observations, with ENE at 22%. But more than half of that E swell falls into the micro (<0.5m) category, and most of the rest is 1-3ft (0.5-1m) windswell. The rare 3-5ft (1-1.5m) pulses are almost exclusively the product of late-season cold fronts or broad Atlantic lows scraping by offshore.
Wind is a letdown. Ideal surfing conditions drop to just 15% as the Bermuda High establishes a relentless E/SE flow, with E (15%), ESE (14%), and SE (11%) the dominant directions. These onshore trades create bumpy, short-period surf with occasional groveling waves. Still, water temps are a warm 79°F (26.1°C), air temps average 77°F (25.2°C), and if you are desperate for a fun-sized session, a dawn patrol with lighter winds is your best bet.
Average Spot conditions at Spessard Holland in May
Swell history for May
Wind history for May
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Spessard Holland 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 Spessard Holland for your next trip in May.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Spessard Holland 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 Spessard Holland.