Weather in Sunny Beach in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Sunny Beach and ranks 118th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Sunny Beach is 3.4°C warmer by day and 4.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Sunny Beach peaks at 20.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 24.0°C or more. Roughly 1 in 19 days top 25°C. Nights average 13.2°C; one night in ten drops to 9.9°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 29.1°C (1993-05-29) and the coldest night 6.5°C (2007-05-03).

Rain in May

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 9 days with 1 mm or more, 47 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2012 with 87 mm, the driest 2003 with 12 mm. Humidity averages 77%.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 15.6°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 14.0°C to 16.7°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (25.3°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 7.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 14.4 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:47 and sets about 20:24 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 50%.

Is May a good time to visit Sunny Beach?

May is not the strongest month here: warm days and frequent rain. The best months for Sunny Beach on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Comfortable afternoons, cooler evenings

May's warmth is useful rather than intense: walking and sitting outdoors should feel comfortable on milder afternoons, but summer clothing alone is a gamble. The warmest days reach 24°C or more, while only 5% reach 25°C, so do not plan around consistently hot beach weather. At night, the colder end of the range drops to around 10°C or below. Pack light tops alongside trousers, a jumper and a jacket you will actually want to wear after sunset. If you dislike strong midday heat, this is a reasonable time to go, provided you are equally comfortable with cool spells.

Sunshine comes with a rain catch

There is enough sunshine to make outdoor time appealing, with about 7.2 hours a day, but that sits within 14.4 hours of daylight rather than an expectation of clear skies throughout. About 9 rainy days makes a waterproof jacket a sensible part of your packing. Keep your outdoor plans movable, taking advantage of brighter weather rather than relying on a particular day staying dry. May is less suitable if your holiday depends on uninterrupted sunbathing. It makes more sense for travellers who can enjoy a mild afternoon outside and change plans when the weather turns, without feeling the trip has been spoiled.

The sea is the main drawback

The sea averages 15.6°C, firmly in the cold category, and its year-to-year range of 14°C to 17°C offers little reassurance for anyone wanting a comfortable swim. A warm afternoon does not make the water warm, so separate the idea of time by the sea from time spent in it. May can work if swimming is optional and you mainly want fresh air and manageable daytime temperatures. If you are choosing dates for a warmer holiday, June, July and August are the stronger options overall. For May itself, treat sea swimming as a cold-water choice, not a dependable daily pleasure.