Conditions at Doolin Point in December
December: Midwinter Heavyweight
December closes the year the way January will begin it - with brute-force Atlantic energy. Average swell height is 7-8ft (2.1-2.4m) and period is 12.2s, ensuring every north-west to south-west groundswell reaches the Clare coast with maximum authority. W (24.2%) and WSW (15.4%) lead, with WNW (11.7%) and SW (4.9%) adding muscle; the 5-8ft band is the most populated, and over-8ft waves account for a significant slice of the W and WSW contributions. Wind is the usual winter adversary: SSW (8.3%), SW (9.3%), WSW (9.1%), and S (7.8%) all blow onshore or cross-onshore for much of the month. Ideal offshore wind sits at just 13%, but when an easterly flow develops ahead of a continental high, Doolin's slabs grind like a machine. Water temp drops to 9.9°C, air to 7.5°C, and daylight is short - this is cold, heavy, all-or-nothing surfing that separates the committed from the curious. Show up prepared, and December can hand you the session of the year.
Average Spot conditions at Doolin Point in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Doolin Point during December. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Doolin Point for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Doolin Point for December. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Doolin Point.