Pack Your Bags: Where To Take A Surf Trip This May
The month of May sees consistent swell both above and below the equator, making it the prime time for surf travel.
While once upon a time it was fashionable to chase that “Endless Summer”, what most surfers have discovered is that it’s the winter you should be chasing. Indeed, in the Southern Hemisphere, May through August is primetime — globally — for coastlines below the belt of the equator. And May? That’s the kickoff month for consistent swell.
Can surf spots north of “the belt” get good in May? Oh, absolutely. For example, the same swells hitting Fiji or New Zealand or Oaxaca make their way up to the southern shores of Hawaii or California — they’re just not quite as large. Which is kinda great news for most of us surfers not concerned with the XXL stuff.
Regardless, in comparison to peak Southern Hemi winter months, you’ll find May to have fewer crowds, high swell consistency, and–for the best surf spots in the cooler zones–warmer weather and water. Here are our Top 8 recommended surf trips for the month of May. Now: Go get some!
1. Sumbawa, Indonesia
Where to: East Sumbawa (Lakey Peak zone), West Sumbawa (Super Suck, Scar Reef, Yo-Yos)
Wave type: Mostly hollow, world-class reefbreaks with a few, slower pointbreak-style waves
Swell direction: Southwest
Average water temp: 29C (85F)
Difficulty level: Experts-only shallow lefts like Super Suck, waves like Lakey Peak for intermediate surfers, and softer fare like Nungas for beginner surfers
Marquee wave: Lakey Peak
May perks: Similar to Bali, Sumbawa’s west coast and east coast see fewer crowds in May than in peak months like June through August
2. Oaxaca, Mexico
Where to: Barra de la Cruz, and all the righthand pointbreaks down to Salina Cruz
Wave type: Thumping beach breaks and tubing righthand, sand-bottomed pointbreaks
Swell direction: South-Southwest
Average water temp: 28C (83F)
Difficulty level: There’s something for everyone in this part of Mexico.
Marquee Wave: Barra de La Cruz
May Perks: The first south swells of the season really start kicking in during the month of May
—Tess, United States
3. North Island, New Zealand
Where to: The left-hand pointbreaks around Raglan
Wave type: Long, consistent left pointbreaks with a few beach breaks in the mix
Swell direction: South-Southwest
Average water temp: 17C (63F)
Difficulty level: Unless it’s a super-strong swell, the lefts around Indicators and Manu Bay are good for intermediate-advanced surfers, with some waves like Whale Bay that are a little softer
Marquee wave: Indicators
May perks: While it’s the beginning of their winter, May isn’t quite so cold (both water and air temps). You’ll definitely still need a wetsuit, though
— Tama Blackburn, New Zealand Surfing Adventures
4. Fiji
Where to: Tavarua or Namotu islands
Wave type: Hollow reefbreaks
Swell direction: Southwest
Average water temp: 29C (85F)
Difficulty level: Intermediate to advanced level for the bigger reefbreaks, but there are a few easier reefs and beachbreaks that accommodate learners
Marquee wave: Cloudbreak
May perks: Swells rolling through the South Pacific this time of year aren’t quite as large (or, XL) as the June-August big-wave swells can get
5. Portugal
Where to: Ericeira
Wave type: Mostly great beach break peaks, mixed with some slabs, reefbreaks and pointbreaks
Swell direction: West-Northwest
Average water temp: 16C (62F)
Difficulty level: Fun, learner, sand-bottomed waves for beginner surfers to more advanced right points like Coxos and everything between
Marquee wave: Coxos
May perks: Not as many monster winter swells, i.e., more sun, warm water, and funner-sized waves
6. Southern California
Where to: San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles County
Wave type: Beach breaks and pointbreaks
Swell direction: South-Southwest/West-Northwest
Average water temp: 18C (65F)
Difficulty level: The whole spectrum. Beginner-friendly waves around San Onofre, longboarding jewels like Malibu, to punchier beach breaks around Encinitas, Huntington Beach and San Clemente for more experienced surfers
Marquee wave: Lower Trestles
May perks: While California sees year-round waves, May is a great month to visit. Still combo swell possibilities this month, so surf breaks like Blacks in San Diego or El Porto in LA could also work
7. El Salvador (West)
Where to: Punta Roca, El Zonte, Sunzal, K-61
Wave type: Some of the best waves in El Salvador are reef-bottomed righthand pointbreaks of all levels
Swell direction: South-Southwest
Average water temp: 28C (83F)
Difficulty level: Some fun beginner waves around El Zonte when smaller, but right-handers like Punta Roca are for the intermediate to advanced
Marquee wave: Punta Roca
May perks: Similar to Nicaragua, El Salvador in May sees the calm before the summer month crowds
8. Costa Rica (South)
Where to: Either side of the Golfo Dulce along the Pacific coast
Wave type: Long left pointbreaks (Pavones-side) and long right pointbreaks (Matapalo-side)
Swell direction: South-Southwest
Average water temp: 28C (83F)
Difficulty level: While both waves can get over double-overhead, normally, Pavones is an intermediate’s paradise with beginner sections at the end
Marquee wave: Pavones, about 23 km south of Playa Zancudoan
May perks: Waves like Pavones in the south seem to get a more favorable angle of swell in May, equating with a longer ride — at one of the longest lefts on earth.
—Chris, United States
