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Conditions at Hickory Bay in December
December: Summer Mush Mode
December brings summer back to Hickory Bay in full force. Average swell height dips to 1.5m (around 5ft) and the average period falls to 9.4s, the lowest of the year, so wave quality often suffers from shorter, lumpier intervals. NE winds dominate with 18.0% of the total, while the ideal offshore wind window slips to just 25%. Harmful E/ESE/SE/SSE wind reaches 16.1%, the highest of the year, which further reduces the number of clean days. The swell direction is a mix - S at 20.0%, SSW at 14.2%, and the E/ESE/SE/SSE window still managing 38% - but with 9s intervals and wind-affected surfaces, it is hard for that energy to translate into top-tier surf. Occasional early-morning glass-offs with a background E/SE swell are the main hope. Water temps are a pleasant 14.7°C and air temps average 13.8°C.
Average Spot conditions at Hickory Bay in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Hickory Bay 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 Hickory Bay for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Hickory Bay 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 Hickory Bay.