Oakura Beach • Statistics for December

December: Summer Kickoff With the Best NW Window of the Year

December starts summer with a fascinating twist: the raw swell size is lower, but Oakura's preferred swell direction is actually more present than any other month. Average height sits at 1.6m (around 5ft), the period eases to 11.0s, and the N, WNW, NW and NNW sectors combine for a healthy 17.0 percent of the wave energy - the highest of the year. WSW is still dominant at 47.0 percent and W contributes another 16.5 percent, so westerly groundswell rules the deep-water charts, but the northwest windows are open more often than any other time.

The main problem is wind. Ideal conditions are just 17 percent, and onshore NNW winds are at their annual peak of 12.1 percent, with WNW and NW adding another 15 percent of cross-shore/onshore influence. This can turn the ocean into a choppy summer salad despite the favorable swell angles. Air temps climb to 16.1°C, water temps reach 17.5°C, and rainfall is moderate at 3.49 mm/day. If a southerly change sweeps through and lines up with a WNW swell pulse, December can still offer dreamy, glassy sessions at Oakura.