Best Time to Ride · Surfing · May · South America

Where to go surfing in South America in May

The 15 best surfing spots in South America in May, ranked by wave height.

Find the best time to goTap a spot to see when to go: wind, waves, water temperature, sun and rain in every month, from years of weather statistics.

Updated October 2026 · weather data 2022–2026

In short

Best for surfing in South America in May: Lobitos (Peru), Punta Hermosa (Peru) & Florianópolis – Joaquina (Brazil).
Water at the top 10: 12–29°C.
Warm enough for no wetsuit: São Miguel do Gostoso, Taíba & Itacaré.
For beginners: La Pedrera, São Miguel do Gostoso & Ilha do Mel.

By continent

Worldwide Africa Asia Europe North America Oceania South America

1

LobitosPeru · water 22°C · air 30°C1.9 m wavesIntermediate and up · shorty · ✈ TYL 14 km 2

Punta HermosaPeru · water 20°C · air 21°C2 m wavesIntermediate and up · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ LIM 46 km 3

Florianópolis – JoaquinaBrazil · water 22°C · air 23°C1.5 m wavesIntermediate and up · shorty · ✈ FLN 11 km 4

La PedreraUruguay · water 17°C · air 18°C2 m wavesBeginner-friendly · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ PDP 93 km 5

São Miguel do GostosoBrazil · water 29°C · air 30°C1.4 m wavesBeginner-friendly · no wetsuit · ✈ NAT 78 km 6

TaíbaBrazil · water 29°C · air 30°C1.3 m wavesIntermediate and up · no wetsuit · ✈ FOR 51 km 7

Ilha do MelBrazil · water 24°C · air 23°C1.4 m wavesBeginner-friendly · shorty · ✈ CWB 88 km 8

ItacaréBrazil · water 28°C · air 27°C1.2 m wavesBeginner-friendly · no wetsuit · ✈ IOS 59 km 9

MatanzasChile · water 12°C · air 15°C1.9 m wavesAdvanced only · 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ SCL 118 km 10

Pichilemu – Punta de LobosChile · water 13°C · air 15°C1.8 m wavesAdvanced only · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ SCL 164 km 11

ChicamaPeru · water 20°C · air 24°C1.3 m wavesIntermediate and up · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ TRU 56 km 12

Mar del PlataArgentina · water 15°C · air 15°C1.5 m wavesIntermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ MDQ 11 km 13

MontañitaEcuador · water 26°C · air 28°C1.4 m wavesBeginner-friendly · no wetsuit · ✈ SNC 50 km 14

MáncoraPeru · water 23°C · air 30°C2 m wavesBeginner-friendly · shorty · ✈ TYL 56 km 15

JericoacoaraBrazil · water 29°C · air 30°C0.5 m wavesIntermediate and up · no wetsuit · ✈ JJD 21 km

The 15 spots with the best surfing conditions in May, from years of weather data, ranked by wave height and, a little, warm water. Wave height: average daily maximum.

Questions

Where is the best surfing in South America in May?

Lobitos (Peru): 1.9 m waves; Punta Hermosa (Peru): 2 m waves; Florianópolis – Joaquina (Brazil): 1.5 m waves.

Where is the water warm in May?

Taíba: 29°C, no wetsuit; Jericoacoara: 29°C, no wetsuit; São Miguel do Gostoso: 29°C, no wetsuit.

Where can beginners go surfing in May?

Good spots for beginners this month: La Pedrera, São Miguel do Gostoso & Ilha do Mel.

Other months

January February March April May June July August September October November December

More ideas

For beginners Winter sun Learn Camps This month