Surf by month
Where to surf in May
In May the dry season gets going across Indonesia and south swells start hitting the Pacific coast of Central America, while Europe's Atlantic coast turns smaller and warmer.
- Zones at their best7
- Also good20
- Out of season3
May at a glance
| Zone | Country | May | Flight from Europe | Daily budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Puntarenas | Costa Rica | Prime | 11-14h | $40/day |
| Golfo de Nicoya | Costa Rica | Prime | 11-14h | $40/day |
| Bali | Indonesia | Prime | 16-20h | $28/day |
| Lombok | Indonesia | Prime | 16-20h | $28/day |
| Sumba & Rote | Indonesia | Prime | 16-20h | $28/day |
| Sumbawa | Indonesia | Prime | 16-20h | $28/day |
| Southwest Panama | Panama | Prime | 12-15h | $30/day |
| Golfo Dulce | Costa Rica | Good | 11-14h | $40/day |
| Guanacaste | Costa Rica | Good | 11-14h | $40/day |
| Côte Basque | France | Good | 2h | $25/day |
| Finistère (Brittany) | France | Good | 2h | $25/day |
| Gironde | France | Good | 2h | $25/day |
| Landes (Hossegor) | France | Good | 2h | $25/day |
| Java | Indonesia | Good | 16-20h | $28/day |
| Mentawai Islands | Indonesia | Good | 16-20h | $28/day |
| Sumatra-Nias | Indonesia | Good | 16-20h | $28/day |
| West Panamá Province | Panama | Good | 12-15h | $30/day |
| Azores | Portugal | Good | 2-3h | $25/day |
| Lisbon Coast | Portugal | Good | 2-3h | $25/day |
| Madeira | Portugal | Good | 2-3h | $25/day |
| Porto & the North | Portugal | Good | 2-3h | $25/day |
| The Algarve | Portugal | Good | 2-3h | $25/day |
| Asturias | Spain | Good | 2h | $20/day |
| Basque Country | Spain | Good | 2h | $20/day |
| Fuerteventura | Spain | Good | 2h | $20/day |
| Galicia | Spain | Good | 2h | $20/day |
| Lanzarote | Spain | Good | 2h | $20/day |
At their best in May
Central Puntarenas, Costa Rica · Prime
May-Jul: Green season S-SW groundswell fires Dominical and the points; offshore mornings.
11-14h flight from Europe · from $40/day · 7 beginner spots
- Quepos & Manuel Antonio 6 spots
- Dominical & Uvita 6 spots
- Osa & the far south 3 spots
Golfo de Nicoya, Costa Rica · Prime
May-Jul: Green season SW groundswell fires the points and beachbreaks; offshore mornings.
11-14h flight from Europe · from $40/day · 5 beginner spots
- Mal País & Santa Teresa 6 spots
- Puntarenas & the river lefts 3 spots
- Jacó & Playa Hermosa 6 spots
Bali, Indonesia · Prime
May-Jun: Pumping SW swell, offshore trades, crowds still civilised.
16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day · 2 beginner spots
- Uluwatu 7 spots
- Canggu 7 spots
- East Bali 7 spots
- West Bali 2 spots
- Nusa Lembongan 3 spots
Lombok, Indonesia · Prime
May-Sep: Dry season: everything works, Deserts possible, trades offshore in the bays.
16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day · 2 beginner spots
- Desert Point 1 spots
- Kuta Lombok 9 spots
Sumba & Rote, Indonesia · Prime
May-Sep: Trades offshore all season, T-Land and Occy's at their best.
16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day
- West Sumba 3 spots
- Rote (Nemberala) 3 spots
Sumbawa, Indonesia · Prime
May-Sep: Dry season standard: consistent swell, offshore mornings.
16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day
- West Sumbawa 4 spots
- Lakey Peak (Hu'u) 5 spots
Southwest Panama, Panama · Prime
Apr-Jun: S-SW swell arriving, offshore mornings, Santa Catalina firing almost daily.
12-15h flight from Europe · from $30/day · 1 beginner spot
- Morro Negrito 5 spots
- Santa Catalina 2 spots
Also good in May
Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica · Good
Apr-Jun: Season building, S-SW swell arriving, lush and quiet, roads still passable.
11-14h flight from Europe · from $40/day · 4 beginner spots
- Cabo Matapalo 4 spots
- Pavones & the south 5 spots
Guanacaste, Costa Rica · Good
May-Jul: Green season begins; bigger SW groundswell, afternoon showers, fewer crowds.
11-14h flight from Europe · from $40/day · 5 beginner spots
- Witch's Rock & Ollie's Point 2 spots
- Tamarindo 3 spots
- Nosara & the south 5 spots
Côte Basque, France · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: Reliable swell, festival season starts in October.
2h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 3 beginner spots
- Biarritz & Anglet 4 spots
- Guéthary & Hendaye 4 spots
Finistère (Brittany), France · Good
May-Jun: Milder weather, still decent swell.
2h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 2 beginner spots
- Crozon Peninsula 4 spots
- Pointe du Raz & South 4 spots
Gironde, France · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: Reliable swell, milder crowds.
2h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 3 beginner spots
- Lacanau & Le Porge 3 spots
- Cap Ferret & Le Verdon 4 spots
Landes (Hossegor), France · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: Reliable swell, milder crowds.
2h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 1 beginner spot
- Hossegor & Capbreton 3 spots
- Seignosse & Vieux-Boucau 3 spots
Java, Indonesia · Good
Apr-May: Early season glass, camps opening, few takers.
16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day · 2 beginner spots
- West Java 7 spots
- Pangandaran / Batu Karas 2 spots
- G-Land (Grajagan) 4 spots
Mentawai Islands, Indonesia · Good
Apr-May: Fewer boats and good swell.
16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day
- Playgrounds (North) 8 spots
- South Mentawai 8 spots
Sumatra-Nias, Indonesia · Good
Apr-May: Season building, lineups empty, camps at shoulder rates.
16-20h flight from Europe · from $28/day · 1 beginner spot
- Nias / Lagundri Bay 5 spots
- Krui / Lampung 7 spots
- Simeulue 2 spots
West Panamá Province, Panama · Good
Apr-Jun: S-SW swell building; the narrow window means it's smaller than Santa Catalina.
12-15h flight from Europe · from $30/day · 3 beginner spots
- Rio Mar & the coast 10 spots
- Panama City breaks 5 spots
Azores, Portugal · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: More settled weather, still decent swell.
2-3h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 2 beginner spots
- São Miguel 3 spots
- Terceira 5 spots
Lisbon Coast, Portugal · Good
Apr-May, Sep: Reliable swell, warming water, fewer crowds.
2-3h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 5 beginner spots
- Cascais & Estoril 8 spots
- Costa da Caparica 2 spots
- Nazaré 1 spots
Madeira, Portugal · Good
Apr-May, Oct: Smaller, more manageable swell, milder weather.
2-3h flight from Europe · from $25/day
- West Madeira 4 spots
Porto & the North, Portugal · Good
May, Jun: Decent swell, water starting to warm.
2-3h flight from Europe · from $25/day
- Porto Coast 5 spots
- Viana do Castelo 3 spots
The Algarve, Portugal · Good
May, Sep: Warmer water, still decent swell, shoulder-season crowds.
2-3h flight from Europe · from $25/day · 5 beginner spots
- Costa Vicentina 4 spots
- Sagres & Lagos 5 spots
Asturias, Spain · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: Reliable swell, milder crowds.
2h flight from Europe · from $20/day · 2 beginner spots
- Gijón & Central Coast 7 spots
- Tapia & West Asturias 2 spots
Basque Country, Spain · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: Reliable swell, milder crowds.
2h flight from Europe · from $20/day · 2 beginner spots
- Mundaka & Bizkaia 3 spots
- Zarautz & Gipuzkoa 2 spots
Fuerteventura, Spain · Good
Apr-Jun, Sep: Smaller swell, still warm and windy.
2h flight from Europe · from $20/day
- The North Track 6 spots
- South Coast 4 spots
Galicia, Spain · Good
May-Jun: Milder weather, still decent swell.
2h flight from Europe · from $20/day · 2 beginner spots
- Ferrolterra 2 spots
- Costa da Morte 2 spots
Lanzarote, Spain · Good
May-Jun, Sep: Smaller swell, still warm and windy.
2h flight from Europe · from $20/day · 1 beginner spot
- Famara Bay 3 spots
- North Coast Reefs 4 spots
Where beginners can surf in May
These zones are in season in May and have the most beginner-friendly spots:
- Central Puntarenas, Costa Rica: Playitas, Playa Matapalo and Dominicalito
- Golfo de Nicoya, Costa Rica: Playa Coyote, Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen (Mal País)
- Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Playa Grande, Tamarindo and Ostional
- Lisbon Coast, Portugal: Carcavelos, São Pedro do Estoril and Praia das Maçãs
- The Algarve, Portugal: Amado, Zavial and Tonel
- Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica: Playa Carate, Pan Dulce and Playa Zancudo
Out of season in May
Limón (Costa Rica), Bocas del Toro (Panama) and Ericeira (Portugal) are in their quiet months. Check each country's season guide before booking.
Surfing in May: common questions
Where is the best place to surf in May?
In May the zones at their best are Central Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Golfo de Nicoya (Costa Rica), Bali (Indonesia), Lombok (Indonesia), Sumba & Rote (Indonesia) and Sumbawa (Indonesia), among 7 in total.
Where can I surf in Europe in May?
14 European zones are in season in May: Côte Basque, Finistère (Brittany), Gironde, Landes (Hossegor), Azores and Lisbon Coast.
Where can beginners surf in May?
Good options are Central Puntarenas in Costa Rica, Golfo de Nicoya in Costa Rica, Guanacaste in Costa Rica and Lisbon Coast in Portugal.
Where is the cheapest place to surf in May?
Among the zones in season, the lowest daily budgets are in Spain (from $20 a day). Flights make a big difference, so compare the total in the planner.
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