Americas Panama
Playa Venao
One long bay, three levels.
BEST WAVES THIS MONTH
Where to surf in May.
May brings serious Southern Ocean swell to Indonesia, the Maldives and Central America, while Europe calms into a good learning month. Sri Lanka's south coast winds down as its east coast starts up, so check which side of the island you're booking.
45 of our 108 destinations list May in their suggested season; 27 of those usually have water at 25°C or warmer.
BEGINNER
Refine this list ↗Learning in May.
Size ranges a learner can use, and a season that suits it.
Americas 
Americas Brazil
Itacaré
Rainforest on one side, surf on the other.
Americas Nicaragua
San Juan del Sur
A bay town with beaches on shuttle.
| Place | Offshore swell | Water | Wetsuit | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa Venao | 1.1 m · 14 s · SW | 29°C | Boardshorts | 5 km/h N |
| Itacaré | 0.9 m · 8 s · E | 28°C | Boardshorts | 12 km/h S |
| San Juan del Sur | 1.2 m · 13 s · SW | 29°C | Boardshorts | 17 km/h NE |
| Dominical | 1.3 m · 14 s · SW | 29°C | Boardshorts | 4 km/h W |
| Arrifana | 1.3 m · 10 s · NW | 17°C | 3/2 mm full suit | 14 km/h NW |
| Santa Catalina | 0.9 m · 14 s · SW | 29°C | Boardshorts | 9 km/h W |
INTERMEDIATE
Refine this list ↗Progressing in May.
More days with real size, without constantly being over your head.
Americas Piura, Peru
Lobitos
Desert lefts and oil-town charm.
Americas La Libertad, Peru
Huanchaco
Reed boats, long lefts and ancient ruins.
Asia Indonesia
Batu Karas
Java's friendly right, with a village behind it.
| Place | Offshore swell | Water | Wetsuit | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lobitos | 1.8 m · 14 s · SW | 20°C | 2 mm shorty or spring suit | 16 km/h SE |
| Huanchaco | 1.8 m · 13 s · S | 19°C | 2 mm shorty or spring suit | 15 km/h S |
| Batu Karas | 1.9 m · 14 s · S | 29°C | Boardshorts | 22 km/h E |
| Canggu | 1.9 m · 15 s · S | 28°C | Boardshorts | 21 km/h SE |
| Mentawai Islands | 1.7 m · 15 s · S | 30°C | Boardshorts | 11 km/h S |
| Puerto Escondido | 1.6 m · 14 s · SW | 30°C | Boardshorts | 15 km/h NW |
ADVANCED
Refine this list ↗Charging in May.
The most days with size and long-period swell.
Africa South Africa
Jeffreys Bay
One of the world's great right-hand points.
Oceania French Polynesia
Tahiti
Heavy reef passes and black-sand beaches.
Oceania Western Australia
Margaret River
Raw Indian Ocean power and world-class wine.
| Place | Offshore swell | Water | Wetsuit | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffreys Bay | 2.7 m · 12 s · SW | 19°C | 2 mm shorty or spring suit | 19 km/h W |
| Tahiti | 2.2 m · 14 s · S | 28°C | Boardshorts | 17 km/h E |
| Margaret River | 3.4 m · 14 s · SW | 22°C | Rash vest or 1 mm top | 26 km/h SW |
| Uluwatu | 1.9 m · 15 s · S | 28°C | Boardshorts | 21 km/h SE |
| Raglan | 2.3 m · 13 s · SW | 18°C | 3/2 mm full suit | 16 km/h W |
| Canggu | 1.9 m · 15 s · S | 28°C | Boardshorts | 21 km/h SE |
Rankings combine ERA5 open-ocean data (2015–2024) with our suggested seasons. They describe typical months, not this year's surf, and sheltered spots can be much smaller than the figures here. How this works.