Swell Cabin › Best surf by month

Best surf towns in May

68 surf towns where May is in the best season for waves. Open any town for its surf spots, where to stay and what's on.

Where the waves were best in May (measured)

How often the waves were good and great at each town's best spot in May, over the last three years.

1. Troncones & La Saladita, Mexico: good waves 100% of days, great 91%, sea 29°C
2. Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka: good waves 95% of days, great 84%, sea 30°C
3. Chicama, Peru: good waves 100% of days, great 78%, sea 19°C
4. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: good waves 100% of days, great 76%, sea 30°C
5. Uluwatu, Indonesia: good waves 90% of days, great 84%, sea 28°C
6. Canggu, Indonesia: good waves 97% of days, great 77%, sea 28°C
7. Jacó & Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica: good waves 98% of days, great 72%, sea 30°C
8. El Zonte, El Salvador: good waves 99% of days, great 71%, sea 30°C
9. Nosara, Costa Rica: good waves 99% of days, great 70%, sea 30°C
10. Puerto Escondido, Mexico: good waves 97% of days, great 67%, sea 30°C
11. Playa Venao, Panama: good waves 98% of days, great 63%, sea 29°C
12. Kuta, Indonesia: good waves 84% of days, great 74%, sea 28°C
13. Dominical, Costa Rica: good waves 99% of days, great 58%, sea 30°C
14. El Tunco, El Salvador: good waves 99% of days, great 56%, sea 30°C
15. Tamarindo, Costa Rica: good waves 92% of days, great 61%, sea 30°C

Europe

• Anglet, France: Beach breaks, water 12–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Arrifana & Aljezur, Portugal: Beach/Reef breaks, water 15–20°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Biarritz, France: Beach/Reef breaks, water 12–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Bude, United Kingdom: Beach/Reef breaks, water 10–17°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Capbreton, France: Beach breaks, water 12–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Carrapateira, Portugal: Beach breaks, water 15–20°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Croyde, United Kingdom: Beach breaks, water 10–17°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Hallbergmoos, Germany: Wave pool breaks, water not published, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Hossegor, France: Beach breaks, water 12–22°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Newquay, United Kingdom: Beach/Reef breaks, water 10–17°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Razo, Spain: Beach breaks, water 12–18°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Sagres, Portugal: Beach/Reef breaks, water 15–21°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Seignosse, France: Beach breaks, water 12–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Sennen Cove, United Kingdom: Beach breaks, water 10–17°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Sion, Switzerland: Wave pool breaks, water 7–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced

Africa

• Cape St Francis, South Africa: Point/Beach breaks, water 14–22°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Durban, South Africa: Beach breaks, water 20–26°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Elands Bay, South Africa: Point breaks, water 11–16°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Jeffreys Bay, South Africa: Point breaks, water 14–22°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Kommetjie, South Africa: Beach/Reef breaks, water 11–15°C, suits intermediate/advanced

Asia

• Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka: Point breaks, water 27–29°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Canggu, Indonesia: Beach/Reef breaks, water 27–29°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Himmafushi, Maldives: Reef breaks, water 28–30°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Kuta, Indonesia: Beach/Reef breaks, water 27–29°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Medewi, Indonesia: Point breaks, water 27–29°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia: Reef breaks, water 26–29°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Thulusdhoo, Maldives: Reef breaks, water 28–30°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Uluwatu, Indonesia: Reef/Beach breaks, water 26–29°C, suits intermediate/advanced

Oceania

• Bondi, Australia: Beach breaks, water 18–24°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Byron Bay, Australia: Point/Beach breaks, water 19–26°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Coolangatta, Australia: Point/Beach breaks, water 21–27°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Crescent Head, Australia: Point breaks, water 18–24°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Cronulla, Australia: Beach/Reef breaks, water 18–24°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Lennox Head, Australia: Point/Beach breaks, water 19–26°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Manly, Australia: Beach/Reef breaks, water 18–24°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Newcastle, Australia: Beach/Reef breaks, water 18–24°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Yamba & Angourie, Australia: Point/Beach breaks, water 19–25°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced

Pacific Islands

• Waikiki, United States: Reef/Beach breaks, water 24–27°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced

North America

• Malibu, United States: Point/Reef breaks, water 14–20°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• San Clemente, United States: Point/Reef/Beach breaks, water 15–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Waco, United States: Wave pool breaks, water 7–32°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced

Mexico & Central America

• Barra de la Cruz, Mexico: Point breaks, water 27–30°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Dominical, Costa Rica: Beach breaks, water 26–30°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• El Tunco, El Salvador: Point/Beach/Reef breaks, water 27–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• El Zonte, El Salvador: Point/Reef breaks, water 27–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Jacó & Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica: Beach breaks, water 26–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• La Libertad, El Salvador: Point breaks, water 27–30°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Las Flores, El Salvador: Point breaks, water 27–30°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Nosara, Costa Rica: Beach breaks, water 26–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Pavones, Costa Rica: Point breaks, water 27–30°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Playa Venao, Panama: Beach breaks, water 26–29°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Popoyo, Nicaragua: Reef/Beach breaks, water 25–29°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Puerto Escondido, Mexico: Beach/Point breaks, water 27–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Punta Mita, Mexico: Reef/Point breaks, water 23–29°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua: Beach/Reef breaks, water 24–29°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: Beach/Reef breaks, water 26–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Tamarindo, Costa Rica: Beach/River mouth/Reef breaks, water 26–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Troncones & La Saladita, Mexico: Point/Beach breaks, water 26–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced

South America

• Chicama, Peru: Point breaks, water 16–20°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Florianópolis, Brazil: Beach/Point breaks, water 18–26°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Garopaba, Brazil: Beach/Point breaks, water 17–24°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Huanchaco, Peru: Point/Beach breaks, water 16–20°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Lobitos, Peru: Point/Reef breaks, water 17–23°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Maresias, Brazil: Beach breaks, water 20–26°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Praia do Rosa, Brazil: Beach breaks, water 17–24°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Beach/Point breaks, water 20–26°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Saquarema, Brazil: Beach breaks, water 19–25°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Ubatuba, Brazil: Beach/Point breaks, water 20–27°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best surf in May?

In May, 68 surf towns on Swell Cabin are in season, including Anglet, Arrifana & Aljezur and Biarritz (Europe); Cape St Francis, Durban and Elands Bay (Africa); Arugam Bay, Canggu and Himmafushi (Asia); Bondi, Byron Bay and Coolangatta (Oceania); Waikiki (Pacific Islands); Malibu, San Clemente and Waco (North America); Barra de la Cruz, Dominical and El Tunco (Mexico & Central America); Chicama, Florianópolis and Garopaba (South America).

Which surf towns had the most good surf days in May?

Measured over the last three years, May's waves were best at Troncones & La Saladita (good 100% of days, great 91%), Arugam Bay (good 95% of days, great 84%), Chicama (good 100% of days, great 78%), Santa Teresa (good 100% of days, great 76%) and Uluwatu (good 90% of days, great 84%). From each day's swell and wind (Open-Meteo), rated at each town's best spot like Swell Cabin's forecast.

Where can beginners surf in May?

Beginner-friendly surf towns in season in May include Florianópolis (Brazil), Newquay (United Kingdom), Waikiki (United States), Biarritz (France), Kuta (Indonesia), San Clemente (United States), Canggu (Indonesia) and Bondi (Australia).

Where can I surf in warm water in May?

Warm-water surf towns (24°C+ all year) in season in May: Waikiki (United States), Uluwatu (Indonesia), Kuta (Indonesia), Canggu (Indonesia), Tamarindo (Costa Rica), Jacó & Playa Hermosa (Costa Rica), Puerto Escondido (Mexico) and Nusa Lembongan (Indonesia).

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